The European savoury snacks industry is determined to do its part to move towards more Sustainable Food Systems (SFS), building on the significant achievements of the recent years. We believe that food systems should be sustainable, climate adapted, nutritious, and efficient whilst not losing sight of small-scale producers. This transition requires engagement and co-operation from all actors throughout the food supply chain and beyond, both individually and collectively, at national, regional and global level. There is a need for a holistic, fair, and coordinated approach.

This is the reason why we believe the EU Code of Conduct has the potential to further stimulate broader engagement across the board and be a valuable tool in accelerating the transition towards SFS.

Commitments by aspirational objectives:

We pledge to abide by the rules of engagement set out on page 4 of the Code concerning the participation of EU umbrella trade associations. Due to our diverse membership and the acknowledged complexity of building up sector-wide commitments, it was decided to not take concrete commitments on behalf of our entire membership at this stage. We have developed internally our own set of aspirational commitments inspired by the objective of the Code to provide our members additional guidance and an inclusive framework to facilitate the reporting and implementation of new actions. These will cover the three thematic pillars of the Code.

Aspirational objective 1: Healthy, balanced, and sustainable diets for all European consumers, thereby contributing to: 

1) Reversing malnutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the EU; 

2) Reducing the environmental footprint of food consumption by 2030.

With the following aspirational targets:

a) Improved food consumption patterns in the EU; 

b) A food environment that makes it easier to choose healthy and sustainable diets.

Aspirational objective 2: Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste (at the consumer level, within internal operations, and across value chains)

With the following aspirational target: 

A 50% reduction of per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level by 2030 and reduced food losses along the food production and supply chains in the EU.

Aspirational objective 3: A climate-neutral food chain in Europe by 2050

With the following aspirational target: 

Reducing net emissions from own operations, contributing to a 55% GHG emission reduction  target in the EU food chain by 2030 (following a science-based approach).

Aspirational objective 4: An optimised circular and resource-efficient food chain in Europe

With the following aspirational targets:

a) Improved resource efficiency within own operations, contributing to sustainable, efficient use and management of energy and natural resources in operations by 2030; 

b) Improved sustainability of food and drink packaging, striving for all packaging towards circularity by 2030.

Aspirational objective 5: Sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all

With the following aspirational targets:

a) Improved resilience and competitiveness of companies operating at any point along the food value chain by 2030;

b) Quality jobs, skilled workforce, and safe and inclusive workplaces for all.

Aspirational objective 6: Sustainable value creation in the European food supply chain through partnership

With the following aspirational targets:

a) Improved resilience and competitiveness of companies operating at any point along the food value chain by 2030;

b) Continued progress towards sustainable production, contributing to sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030 and improved animal welfare.

Aspirational objective 7: Sustainable sourcing in food supply chains

With the following aspirational targets:

a) Transformed commodity supply chains that do not contribute to deforestation, forest degradation, and destruction of natural habitat and which preserve and protect high-value ecosystems and biodiversity;

b) Improved social performance in (global) food supply chains.

Full detail of the pledge in the provided attachment.