Development of eco-efficiency indicators for the Canadian food and beverage industry

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is developing eco-efficiency indicators (EEIs) in an effort to build a framework for a sustainable production system for the Canadian food and beverage industry (FBI). This paper presents the rationale and the framework of the project currently under development addressing the following environmental issues: energy use, emission of greenhouse gases, water use and wastewater generation, organic residues, and packaging residues. Proposed EEIs are intensity indicators and recycling ratios, and include environmental pressure modulators. They will be developed based on collected data and estimated impact levels, and reported by FBI sub-sector, geographical location, and establishment size. Objectives and methodologies are outlined. Problems on getting quality and reliable data on selected environmental issues are emphasized. The methodology will be published in 2005 and first results are due by 2008. Benchmarking and linkage to specific processing operations and management practices will help regulators and industries in promoting and implementing cleaner production initiatives and will lead to operational cost savings, product innovation, and enhanced competitiveness.