Tetra Pak is embarking on an integrated approach to drive the transition to more secure, sustainable, and resilient food systems, leveraging the company’s leading role in the food processing and packaging industry to bring about urgent change. This initiative further builds on the company’s leadership in the Global Dairy Processing Task Force, which, as part of the climate initiative ‘Pathways to Dairy Net Zero,’ seeks to explore innovative systems and technologies to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dairy processing.
Charles Brand, Executive Vice President for Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra Pak, emphasizes the importance of transforming food systems for a viable future. He notes that current systems are inefficient and unsustainable, responsible for over one third of GHG emissions, while also contributing to significant food waste, hunger, and malnutrition. Additionally, food value chains drive deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Brand stresses the need to transform these systems to ensure they are more secure, resilient, and sustainable.
Tetra Pak has identified four key pathways to accelerate food systems transformation. The company has also established roadmaps and measurable targets for each of these pathways, aligning with critical transitions for food and land transformation proposed by the Food and Land Use Coalition.
- Enabling the transition towards more sustainable dairy involves addressing the environmental impact of dairy processing while supporting smallholder farmers’ productivity, profitability, and livelihoods.
- Innovating for new food sources entails diversifying with alternative proteins to complement dairy and other animal protein sources.
- Reducing food loss and waste is achieved through developing food processing technologies that help minimize food waste during production and turning low-value side streams into value-added products. Tetra Pak’s aseptic packaging solutions play a fundamental role in reducing food waste by extending the shelf life of perishable foods, leading to widespread distribution and access to safe nutrition even in remote areas.
- Scaling access to safe nutrition is a priority achieved through sustainable food packaging solutions designed to preserve food quality and improve access to safe food.
The announcement coincides with the launch of Tetra Pak’s white paper, in collaboration with EY Parthenon, which examines the key food systems requirements to better sustain both people and the planet by 2040.
Charles concludes by emphasizing Tetra Pak’s commitment to driving a transformative agenda based on robust evidence. He highlights the company’s engagement with various stakeholders to help transform food systems and move food forward.
