The IGD Unites Food Sector on Supply Chain Sustainability – Food Digital

Report on the IGD Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework

Introduction: A Strategic Initiative for a Resilient Food System

The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) has launched a new Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework. This initiative is designed to fortify the resilience of the food supply chain by embedding sustainability into core business operations. The framework’s development directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on food security, responsible production, and climate action.

Framework Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Core Objectives

Developed in collaboration with key industry manufacturers, the framework provides actionable guidance for businesses to address complex sustainability challenges. Its primary objectives are to:

• Standardise industry approaches to sustainability to create a unified effort.
• Provide clear guidance for businesses to integrate sustainability into operational and commercial practices.
• Clarify key priorities, enabling more effective resource allocation and impact.
• Transition companies from planning stages to direct, impactful action.

Contribution to Global Goals

The framework is intrinsically linked to the global sustainability agenda, with significant emphasis on the following SDGs:

1. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The framework’s central purpose is to guide the food and drinks industry towards more sustainable production patterns, reducing waste and environmental impact throughout the supply chain.
2. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the food supply chain, the initiative helps secure the future availability of food, a critical component of achieving food security.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action): This framework serves as a practical implementation tool for the previously released “A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System,” driving tangible actions to mitigate the climate impact of the agrifood sector.
4. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The collaborative nature of the framework’s development exemplifies SDG 17, uniting an impartial body (IGD) with major industry players to achieve common sustainability objectives.

Collaborative Development and Industry Partnership

Addressing Industry Fragmentation

A key challenge addressed by the framework is the operational inefficiency arising from manufacturers pursuing common sustainability goals through contrasting methods. This divergence spreads supplier resources thin and hinders collective progress. By standardising methodologies, the framework promotes a more cohesive and efficient path towards sustainability, aligning with the principles of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering sustainable industrialisation.

Key Manufacturing Partners

The successful development of this guidance was made possible through a strategic partnership between the IGD and six leading food manufacturers:

• Bakkavor
• The Billington Group
• The Compleat Food Group
• Greencore
• Premier Foods
• Samworth Brothers

Future Outlook

The collaborating manufacturers view this framework as a foundational step towards integrating sustainability commitments into joint business planning. This harmonised approach is expected to streamline processes for procurement teams and strengthen commercial supply chain relationships. The partnership has expressed a clear intention to expand this model to other sectors in the coming year, signalling a long-term commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals across the wider industry.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on creating a resilient and sustainable food supply chain through collaborative industry efforts touches upon the following goals:

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger

     This goal is relevant because the initiative aims to create a “more resilient food supply chain.” A resilient food system is crucial for ensuring stable and secure access to food, which is a cornerstone of ending hunger and achieving food security.

   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

     The article’s central theme is the “Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework,” designed to help businesses “incorporate sustainability into their operations.” This directly aligns with SDG 12, which promotes sustainable production patterns and encourages companies to adopt sustainable practices.

   • SDG 13: Climate Action

     The new framework is presented as a follow-up to “A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System.” This connection explicitly links the initiative to climate action, as achieving net-zero emissions is a critical strategy for combating climate change and its impacts on the food system.

   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     The article repeatedly emphasizes collaboration. The framework was “developed in collaboration with major manufacturers and industry stakeholders,” and the manufacturers themselves state they are working “as a group of manufacturers with IGD.” This multi-stakeholder approach is the essence of SDG 17, which focuses on building partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the details provided in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 2.4 (under SDG 2)

     “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…” The initiative’s stated purpose of creating a “more resilient food supply chain” directly contributes to this target by promoting practices that can withstand shocks and ensure the long-term viability of food production.

   • Target 12.6 (under SDG 12)

     “Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.” The “Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework” is a tool explicitly designed to provide “guidance for businesses to better incorporate sustainability into their operations,” which perfectly aligns with the objective of this target.

   • Target 13.2 (under SDG 13)

     “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” While the framework is for companies, it builds upon “A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System.” This shows an effort to translate high-level climate strategies into direct, actionable plans for a key industry sector, thereby helping to integrate climate measures into business planning and operations.

   • Target 17.17 (under SDG 17)

     “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The entire initiative described is a partnership. It was “developed in collaboration with major manufacturers” (Bakkavor, The Billington Group, etc.) and an industry body (IGD). This collaboration aims to standardize approaches and prevent the thinning of supplier resources, demonstrating an effective private-sector partnership for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not mention specific quantitative indicators, but it implies several process-based or qualitative indicators that can measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 12.6

     The primary implied indicator is the adoption and implementation of the Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework by businesses. The success of the initiative can be measured by how many companies in the food and drinks industry use the framework to guide their sustainability efforts and “move beyond planning and into direct action.”

   • Indicator for Target 17.17

     The existence of the partnership itself between the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) and the six named food manufacturers is a direct indicator of progress. The article also implies a future indicator: the expansion of this collaborative framework to other sectors, as the manufacturers state, “We hope next year to expand this to other sectors.”

   • Indicator for Target 2.4 and 13.2

     While not directly measurable from the text, the article implies that the standardization of sustainability approaches across the industry is an indicator of progress. The goal is to address the issue where “methods for achieving them often contrasted, spreading supplier resources thin and hindering progress.” A unified approach would be a sign of a more resilient and climate-conscious food system.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the Article)
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.	The development and implementation of a framework aimed at creating a “more resilient food supply chain.”
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.	The number of companies adopting the “Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework” to incorporate sustainability into their operations.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.	The translation of a “Net Zero Transition Plan” into a direct action framework for companies within the food system.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	The formation of the partnership between IGD and six major food manufacturers; plans to expand the partnership to other sectors.

Source: fooddigital.com