Do you consider the climate impact when food shopping?

According to the study, three out of four UK consumers (75%) believe food companies should work to reduce emissions in their food production.

Yara has announced the findings from a new survey it commissioned on sustainable food. The report, conducted by leading international market research company IPSOS, provides an overview of consumer purchasing habits and sustainable food preferences.

Jari Pentinmäki

“The report shows that UK consumers are highly motivated to buy sustainable food to reduce their climate impact. This should be a wake-up call to the entire food industry,” says Jari Pentinmäki, managing director, Yara UK and Ireland.

“While more than half of consumers in the UK find the climate impact important when buying food, a majority feel it is not easy enough to understand available information about the climate emission to be able to make sustainable choices. Around three out of four consumers would prefer to be able to read the carbon footprint on the food label,” Pentinmäki says.

The world’s food production accounts for more than a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. This new report shows that 53% of people in the UK consider the climate impact important when buying food and beverages. In addition, 38% of UK consumers are willing to pay more for  food items produced without fossil sources.

“Decarbonisation of food is possible and that is why we are developing green fertilizers made from water and air using renewable energy, to support farmers and food companies in reducing the climate impact of their food. These voluntary choices must be supported by adequate policies. The EU’s Sustainable Food System initiative, planned for the end of 2023, should therefore create a set of incentives to go beyond the minimum requirements and favour low-carbon footprint solutions such as green fertilizers,” says Pentinmäki.

In Porsgrunn, Norway, Yara is building the first production plant to run on renewable energy. From there, Yara will produce green fertilizers made without the use of fossil energy or fossil sources. This will result in crops with an up to 30% lower carbon footprint and as much as a 20% carbon footprint reduction in the food produced, making them a powerful solution to creating a decarbonised and fossil free food future. The first green fertilizers are planned to enter production in the second half of 2023.

Key findings in this survey

• 53% of people in the UK consider the climate impact important when buying food and beverage items.
• 57% said they would choose a climate friendlier food item versus a cheaper option.
• 38% of UK consumers say they are willing to pay more for food made without fossil fuel sources.
• 25% of people in the UK already make sustainable choices when it comes to their buying habits.
• Around three out of four (72%) people in the UK want to see the carbon footprint of food items on the label.
• Three out of four UK consumers (75%) believe food companies should work to reduce emissions in their food production.