Transforming Europe's food systems through plant-based innovation: insights from ENSA’s 2023 Sustainability Report

The European Plant-Based Foods Association (ENSA) has released its 2023 sustainability report, emphasizing the critical role of plant-based foods in advancing sustainable food systems. The report outlines significant progress toward achieving the aspirational objectives of the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Business and Marketing Practices, with a strong focus on reducing environmental impact, promoting sustainable diets, and fostering collaboration across the food value chain.

ENSA represents a diverse array of European plant-based food manufacturers with an annual turnover exceeding €1.8 billion. By promoting high-quality plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy, ENSA aims to address pressing environmental challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation. The report emphasizes a pivotal finding: shifting toward plant-based diets can substantially contribute to achieving climate neutrality and a circular food system in Europe by 2050.

A highlight of 2023 was ENSA's co-organization of the International Plant-Based Foods Global Alliance Summit, held in October. This summit provided a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for accelerating the adoption of plant-based diets. Key outcomes included the sharing of successful global initiatives and actionable policy recommendations to guide the transition toward more sustainable eating practices. According to ENSA, these dialogues underscore the necessity of a coordinated global effort to reshape food systems.

The report showcases member initiatives driving the transition toward sustainability. For example, Quorn Foods has set ambitious targets, including achieving net zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and reducing Scope 3 emissions by 30%. In collaboration with academic and industrial partners, Quorn has implemented carbon capture technologies to enhance circularity within its fermentation processes. Similarly, Danone's Alpro brand has championed regenerative agriculture by sourcing 100% rainfed almonds in Spain by 2022, reducing water dependency and promoting ecosystem resilience.

Efforts to enhance sustainability extend beyond production processes. Companies such as Oatly have introduced transparent climate footprint labeling across their product ranges, empowering consumers to make informed choices. By 2023, 99% of Oatly’s EU sales volume featured carbon labeling, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to environmental accountability. Similarly, Nutrition & Santé and Valsoia have invested in innovations to improve the nutritional profiles of their products while reducing environmental footprints, aligning with broader consumer health trends.

Another focal area is the reduction of food loss and waste. ENSA members have implemented creative measures such as the “Often Good After” date-marking initiative by Oatly and Alpro’s 'Look, Smell, Taste' campaign. These strategies aim to educate consumers about extending product usability, contributing to a more resource-efficient food system.

The report also highlights the role of packaging innovations in achieving circularity. Quorn Foods, for instance, replaced plastic trays with recyclable cardboard and optimized pallet usage, reducing transportation emissions. Valsoia has explored alternative uses for by-products, such as transforming soybean pulp into biomethane and agricultural biostimulants, demonstrating how waste can be repurposed to add value to supply chains.

Water stewardship remains a top priority for ENSA members. Liquats Vegetals has reduced water usage by 21% since 2020 and aims for a 35% reduction by 2024 through efficient water reclamation and reuse. Danone’s Alpro has halved water consumption at its Wevelgem site in Belgium, integrating advanced filtration systems to recycle wastewater into production processes. These initiatives align with broader goals to safeguard water resources and mitigate risks associated with water scarcity.

ENSA’s sustainability report serves as both a progress update and a call to action for the plant-based sector. It underscores the importance of collaboration across stakeholders to advance shared sustainability objectives. With its commitment to fostering a climate-neutral and resource-efficient food system, ENSA positions plant-based foods as integral to achieving the EU's broader environmental and public health goals.