In the second phase of the voluntary Courtauld Commitment, 28 leading food companies have agreed to embrace goals that demand more sustainable use of resources over the entire product lifecycle. Working to a 2012 deadline, the signatories have agreed to the 10 per cent packaging goal and a 4 per cent reduction in household food and drink waste and a 5 per cent cut in grocery product and packaging waste in the supply chain.

Dairy UK, which represents dairy processors in the UK, welcomed the new commitment. Dairy UK environment manager Fergus McReynolds said: “Courtauld 2 is a significant step forward for the food industry. The overriding target of a 10 per cent reduction in the carbon impact of packaging will complement the work under way through the dairy industry’s Milk Roadmap.”

To read a longer report on the Courtauld Commitment 2 click here .