With people around the world having a greater interest in where products come from and the impact of their purchases on the planet, climate change and carbon footprints are becoming increasingly important factors for consumer industries to consider.
ZESPRI has been leading the way in the world’s horticultural sector, working in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry to create a comprehensive carbon footprint of New Zealand Kiwifruit to determine our impact on the environment.
ZESPRI utilised global best practice, applying the PAS 20/50 methodology to develop a full product lifecylce carbon footprint for each our kiwifruit products; ZESPRI® GREEN, GOLD and ORGANIC Kiwifruit. All carbon equivalent emissions throughout the entire lifecycle were captured, from growing and picking fruit in orchards, through the storage and shipping supply chain, to being eaten and disposed of by consumers.
This comprehensive understanding of our product lifecycle is enabling us to develop effective plans for reducing carbon output throughout the chain, significantly improving our footprint and making our fruit a healthier option for the planet.
Using the understanding as a base, our next step is to develop a computer based model of the industry carbon footprint whereby changes (reductions) can be quantified and tracked over time.
Carbon emissions for the key stages of a ZESPRI® Kiwifruit's lifecycle are (based on all exports of New Zealand Kiwifruit to the world):
- Orchard operations make up 21% of total emissions
- Packhouse and coolstore processes account for 7% of total emissions
- Shipping accounts for 35% of total emissions
- Repacking and retailer emissions amount to 11%
- Consumer consumption and disposal comprises 26% of total emissions
