Leeds Beckett to "pioneer sustainability" in pet food industry with new partnership

Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Thirsk based Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) on a “cutting-edge” new project to audit and reduce the carbon emissions of its full supply chain.

This will ensure IPN achieves its net zero carbon goal, and secures its position as industry leaders and pioneers in sustainability. IPN will work with academic experts at Leeds Beckett on a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, which is part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK.

The aim of the project is for IPN to become the first UK pet food manufacturer to analyse the sustainability of the company’s whole supply chain, using a Carbon Footprint Evaluation Model.

Professor Christopher Gorse, researcher in the Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) at Leeds Beckett and project leader, explained: “All large companies at the moment are progressing on a journey towards net zero and IPN are already well on their way.

“They have already achieved carbon negative accreditation in relation to their on-site emissions, such as fuel and electricity consumption, known as ‘Scope 1 and 2’ of the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

“This project will set up a framework to analyse and evaluate IPN’s ‘Scope 3’ emissions, the carbon produced within the supply, or value, chain. This is the most difficult to measure and will ensure that IPN is a truly sustainable company.”

IPN was the first pet food company in the UK to introduce recyclable and compostable packaging – and the first Scope 1 and 2 carbon negative major pet food manufacturer in the UK, through their use of recyclable packaging, green energy, and a variety of off-setting initiatives.

Chris Wragg, group marketing director of IPN, added: “Sustainability is at the heart of our vision at IPN: To become the Nation’s most sustainable, most loved, home of pet nutrition brands.

“This project will play a key role in understanding and improving our supply chain and business, helping us to continue to leave a positive paw print in everything we do.

“For people, by enabling them to feed great nutrition they can afford & feel good about, meaning healthier and happier pets, and for the planet by reducing our environmental impact.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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