With food production accounting for around a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint reduction is one of the most effective ways that supply chains can address the climate change challenge. Recognizing the considerable opportunity to minimize the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by the aquaculture feed production process and the fish farming sector, Skretting Italy developed the new carbon-neutral feed concept, Feed4Future.
This first-to-market offering pairs Skretting’s extensive knowledge of the nutritional requirements of aquaculture species with sustainable, lower impact feed ingredients responsibly sourced from carefully selected suppliers. In utilizing Skretting’s groundbreaking MicroBalance technology and incorporating innovative raw materials and high-quality byproducts sourced from the food industry that don’t compete with human consumption, Feed4Future diets have a 10% lower carbon footprint than standard diets, with the remaining CO2 emissions compensated for by carbon credits*.
“With the spotlight on the impacts of food production, Feed4Future can take Italian aquaculture to new levels of sustainability. With 80% of fish farms’ carbon footprint related to feed, its application means that together we are taking effective action against one of the most far-reaching issues facing our planet today – climate change,” said Umberto Luzzana, Skretting Italy marketing manager.
And that’s not all. For those producers looking to go a significant step further with fully carbon-neutral farms, Skretting has developed CarbonBalance, a new program supporting fish farmers and helping them achieve this ambition.
Following an initial assessment of each farm site, Skretting calculates the carbon footprint, identifies measures to reduce it and then works together with customers to achieve full neutrality. CarbonBalance also provides links to those third-party certification bodies that are already on board with the program and will offer support in communicating these actions to the market. Amongst other things, it will explain what makes these fish carbon neutral and the contribution they are making to sustainable food production.
“In a market that is increasingly informed and sensitive to environmental issues, the combination of Feed4Future and CarbonBalance is a unique opportunity for responsible companies to contribute to healthy and resilient food systems, while enhancing their product offering and establishing a stronger competitive advantage,” added Luzzana.
Skretting Italy’s new carbon-neutral offering is a follow-up of its successful “Acqua in Bocca!” customer engagement project. Launched in 2017, this ongoing project is designed to help the country’s aquaculture value chain develop an effective value proposition based on sustainability that meets market expectations and requirements.
“We’re excited about Skretting Italy’s approach on sustainability and the process that they have followed by first listening to our customers’ needs and then engaging with other players in the value chain to build solutions that create value for the whole industry,” said Trygve Berg Lea, Skretting sustainability manager. “Feed4Future and CarbonBalance are a perfect example of how local initiatives are helping us to fulfill our global ambition of being the lead partner in the journey towards an even more sustainable aquaculture industry.”
*Skretting CarbonBalance’s carbon credit scheme is related to the Agrocortex REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project in Brazil.
