The Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI UK&I) has set up a committee of influential organisations to champion sustainability within the commercial foodservice sector. Driven by increasing demand for transparent environmental data and evolving regulatory landscapes, this group issues a collective call to action for manufacturers to embrace embodied carbon reporting and collaborate on establishing a unified, sustainable future.
It is ultimately intended that the work it produces (FCSI Embodied Carbon Guide for Design Consultants) will be available to the whole industry and FCSI (UK&I) will engage with stakeholders for its continuous development. Of equal importance is the reach FCSI has internationally with its global membership.
The Embodied Carbon Imperative: A New Era of Accountability
As global sustainability initiatives gain momentum and policy changes like the City of London’s embodied carbon requirements and the Qiddiya framework in KSA take effect, the foodservice industry faces a critical need to address its environmental impact. While operational carbon efficiency has been a long-standing focus, embodied carbon – the emissions associated with the materials, manufacturing, transportation, and end-of-life of equipment – remains a largely unquantified concern. This often-overlooked impact, potentially representing up to 25% of a fit-out’s total carbon footprint, requires immediate and collaborative attention.
End-users are increasingly factoring embodied carbon data into their equipment selections, and the demand for comprehensive transparency is only expected to grow. Proactive engagement is essential. Delaying action until mandatory regulations are imposed is not only reactive but also risks hindering progress towards a more sustainable industry.
TM65: A Practical Pathway to Transparency
The CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) Guide TM65 methodology provides a structured and widely recognised approach to measuring embodied carbon, particularly when comprehensive Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are unavailable. TM65 is a standardised yet adaptable framework which is crucial for ensuring fair and consistent assessments across the diverse range of foodservice products.
Addressing the Challenges, Embracing Collaborative Solutions
While TM65 offers a valuable framework, several challenges must be addressed through industry-wide collaboration:
- Data Consistency: Manufacturers must adopt standardised reporting practices to enable meaningful comparisons across products and brands, facilitating informed procurement decisions.
- Checks and Balances: Independent calculations of embodied carbon data enhances credibility and accuracy, addressing potential concerns about material exclusions in self-reported figures.
- Bespoke Equipment Considerations: The custom nature of much foodservice equipment necessitates tailored measurement approaches to accurately capture the embodied carbon impact.
- Integration into Procurement: Embodied carbon data should be seamlessly integrated into procurement and value engineering processes, becoming a key criterion for equipment selection.
A Collective Responsibility: A Roadmap for Action
This initiative requires a collaborative effort from all industry stakeholders to create a unified carbon data framework. We urge manufacturers to take the following essential steps:
- Conduct TM65 Assessments: Perform thorough TM65 assessments for all equipment categories, providing transparent data to empower informed decision-making throughout the supply chain.
- Prioritise Credibility: Pursue independent, third-party calculations of embodied carbon data wherever feasible, ensuring accuracy and building trust with stakeholders.
- Collaborate and Share: Actively participate in industry initiatives and working groups focused on harmonising data collection and reporting practices, fostering knowledge sharing and collective progress.
Beyond Compliance: A Shared Vision for Sustainable Foodservice
This call to action goes beyond mere compliance. It is an invitation to manufacturers to become active participants in shaping a more sustainable future for the foodservice industry. By embracing embodied carbon transparency, manufacturers can:
- Contribute to a Sustainable Future: Play a vital role in reducing the industry’s overall environmental footprint and contributing to a healthier planet.
- Embrace End-of-Life Stewardship: Develop and implement clear policies for end-of-life recycling and responsible disposal, minimising environmental impact and promoting circular economy principles.
- In-Use Energy and Operational Carbon: As a long-term goal, address the in-use energy consumption and operational carbon footprint of equipment, creating a holistic view of the product’s environmental impact.
- Drive Innovation: Contribute to the development of low-carbon equipment designs and more sustainable manufacturing processes.
- Enhance Brand Reputation: Demonstrate a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility, strengthening relationships with stakeholders and building trust.
The Time to Act is Now
The foodservice industry stands at a pivotal moment. The demand for carbon transparency is rapidly increasing, driven by end-users, evolving regulations, and a shared commitment to a more sustainable future. We implore all foodservice equipment manufacturers to respond to this call to action.
Take the First Steps Today:
- Begin your TM65 assessments.
- Engage with industry partners to contribute to the development of a unified carbon data framework.
Together, we can create a sustainable and resilient foodservice industry for generations to come.
The originating committee has members from Humble Arnold Associates, ImpactLoop, Hospitality Energy Saving & Sustainability, GY5 Ltd, Tricon Foodservice Consultants Ltd and Meiko and is chaired by Danny Potter FCSI from Invito Design.
