Sustainability

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. The most widely quoted definition of sustainability and sustainable development, is that of the Brundtland Commission of the United Nations: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

What it might mean for a food or drink manufacturer?

Sustainability is high on the agenda for every manufacturer, not least because high fuel and raw material prices means food and drink companies are under pressure to reduce waste and drive down costs. Also, in a context where there are legislative (Climate Change Act etc), market and consumer pressures, reducing waste, carbon labelling, recyclable packaging and food miles are all issues that food or drink manufacturers need to consider.

In 2007, the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) introduced their Five-fold Environmental Ambition. This practical approach to sustainability for the industry covers 5 areas (or pillars) and is a useful way to summarise the key issues of interest to industry. FDF's 5 pillars are:

• Reduce CO2 emissions (inc. energy efficiency, use of renewables, etc.)
• Ensure zero food and packaging waste is sent to landfill from 2015
• Reduce the level of packaging reaching households
• Achieve 'fewer and friendlier' food transport miles
• Reductions in water use

Context within Curriculum for Excellence?

Likely to cover all five core skills – communication, numeracy, problem solving, IT and working with others

Clear 'partnership' opportunities with food & drink industry and environmental agencies (e.g. WRAP, Envirowise, etc.)

Outcomes: Intrinsic link with Sciences (esp. Planet Earth) and Social Sciences (people, place and environment) but, as can be seen below, possible applications across many other curriculum areas, e.g.

Health & wellbeing – food & the consumer e.g. HWB 1-35a, HWB 2-35a.

Literacy & English – listening and talking (esp. finding and using information and understanding, analysing and evaluating ), writing (esp. organising and using information) and reading (esp. finding and using information and understanding, analysing and evaluating).

Mathematics – depending on project could cover many aspects of number, money and measure but most likely impact will be on information handling, particularly data and analysis where all outcomes could be addressed.

Sciences – Planet Earth (especially energy sources and sustainability e.g. SCN 3-04b).

Social Studies – people, place and environment (projects could be perfect to address many outcomes inc. SOC 1-09a[1], SOC 4-09b[2], SOC 4-09a[3]).

Technologies – unlike other key food & drink issues this is less relevant to the outcomes highlighted in food and textiles, however, there are other technology outcomes that would be a perfect fit , in particular, technological developments in society e.g TCH 2-02b[4], TCH 4-01a. Depending on the project, outcomes within Craft, design, engineering and graphics and Business may also be addressed.

View more on the Learning and Teaching Scotland website Curriculum for Excellence.

Potential Study Areas

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Waste Management
• Operational Management
• Environmental Science and Management (inc. Renewable Energy)

Relevance to Possible Food & Drink Careers

• Operational Efficiency
• Continuous Improvement
• Logistics
• Supply Chain
• Procurement
• Environmental Management

Scottish best practice industry examples?

• Pinneys (part of The Seafood Company)
• Macphie
• MacSween
• Quaker at Cupar
• Coca Cola Enterprises

Examples of Relevant CfE Outcomes

[1] SOC 1-09a - Having explored the variety of foods produced in Scotland, I can discuss the importance of different types of agriculture in the production of these foods.
[2] SOC 4-09b - I can assess the impact of developments in transport infrastructure in a selected area and can contribute to a discussion on the development of sustainable systems.
[3] SOC 4-09a - Having evaluated the role of agriculture in the production of food and raw material, I can draw reasoned conclusions about the environmental impacts and sustainability.
[4] TCH 2-02b - I can investigate the use and development of renewable and sustainable energy to gain an awareness of their growing importance in Scotland or beyond.