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Food and Drink Federation members are well on track to meet carbon reduction targets for next year, after revealing a 19% cut in emissions since 1990.

Carbon reduction is a key part of the federation's Environmental Ambition plan that was launched in 2007. Members committed to a 20% reduction by 2010 compared to 1990 levels, with a longer-term target of a 30% reduction by 2020.

In a progress report on the scheme, the FDF revealed that members had reduced carbon emissions by 19% since 1990, the equivalent of one million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Other targets included sending zero food and packaging waste to landfill by 2015 and packaging reduction that is being delivered via the Courtauld Commitment, of which 23 FDF members are signatories.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn praised the FDF's achievements, particularly in cutting carbon emissions.

"The large number of companies that have signed up to the Courtauld Commitment on waste packaging is very welcome, as is the decision to review the Ambition plan in the light of recent developments," he said.

"I hope the FDF will be able to get even more companies involved, so that we can meet our legally binding carbon dioxide targets."

FDF president Ross Warburton said the Ambition plan showed that members were taking a leading role in developing sustainable food production. "We'll continue to work with our members to build on the successes of the last two years," he said.

FDF members include Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Dairy Crest, Mars and Procter & Gamble.

To read the full Environmental Ambition progress report, click here.

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