New standard published to help the seafood industry improve supply chain management and reduce GHG emissions
Press release - 4th December 2012
Business standards company BSI has published a new specification to assist the global seafood industry reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve energy efficiency and manage costs.
PAS 2050-2:2012 - Assessment of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions - supplementary requirements for the application of PAS 2050:2011 to seafood and other aquatic food products – builds on BSI's internationally recognized standard for product carbon footprinting PAS 2050:2011.
PAS 2050-2 provides a common approach for the global fisheries industry to assess GHG emissions associated with both wild caught and farmed fish products. The new specification enables organizations to review their activities at all stages of the seafood life-cycle - from broadstock rearing to fish capturing, farming and slaughtering, landing and auctioning, fish processing, transport and preservation.
Prepared at the request of, and with significant input from, representatives of the global seafood industry, PAS 2050-2 enables organizations from the sector to:
- Take a practical, pragmatic approach to the calculation of the carbon footprint of aquatic food products
- Understand and gain better control over the supply chain by identifying 'hotspots' and related cost/energy saving opportunities
- Devise long-term plans to reduce GHG emissions globally and locally and measure climate change improvements over time
- Improve relationships with stakeholders and achieve greater co-operation with peers, suppliers and customers
"Because of the global nature of trade in seafood and other aquatic food products, it is essential that the requirements provided in the standard are applicable wherever an assessment of emissions from aquatic food products is to be made," said Angus Garrett of Seafish (Sea Fish Industry Authority). "Although conceived by the UK seafood industry and sponsored by Seafish, PAS 2050-2 is a truly global specification which has been developed by a steering group of experts from across the world and, in its public consultation stage, with the input of the international fishing and aquaculture community. Beyond guiding industry assessments, the specification has helped clarify and gain consensus on key hotspot impact areas for GHG emissions in seafood."
Shirley Bailey-Wood, Director of Publishing at BSI said: "However well the seafood industry compares to others in terms of its GHG emissions, there is growing recognition that there will always be room for improvement in this area, right across the supply chain. PAS 2050-2 provides the means for enhancing ongoing effort on climate change by enabling businesses from across the sector to fully understand the impact of their product through every stage of its life cycle, in order to then devise effective improvement programmes."
