Accelerating decarbonisation in food and drink manufacturing

Food and drink manufacturers are under growing pressure to decarbonise — and fast. From climate-conscious consumers to sustainability-savvy retailers and tightening regulations, the message is clear: carbon reduction isn’t a future ambition, it’s a present-day priority. 

Major supermarket chains are already favouring suppliers with strong green credentials. If you're not actively cutting carbon, you're at risk of being cut out yourself. 

But food and drink production is energy-intensive, especially when it comes to heat. Cooking, pasteurisation, sterilisation — these thermal processes are hard to decarbonise. Without new interventions, the sector is only on track to reduce heat-related emissions by around 64% by 2050. That’s not enough. 

The good news? There are practical, proven ways to drive down emissions — and many deliver efficiency and cost benefits too. 

1. Start with energy efficiency 

The cheapest, cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use. Before investing in new tech, tackle waste.  

Recover waste heat from ovens or chillers and reuse it for washing or pre-heating. Optimise boiler sequencing. Maintain steam traps. These simple steps can deliver fast carbon savings and strong return-on-investment. 

2. Electrify where you can  

Switching from fossil-fuelled boilers to electric alternatives slashes Scope 1 emissions, especially when powered by renewables. Heat pumps are a game-changer here, efficiently delivering low to medium-temperature heat for cleaning, pasteurisation, and more. 

Modern industrial Heat Pumps can reach 80°C or higher — ideal for many food processes. Pair them with Solar PV and you’ve got a near-zero carbon solution. 

And don’t forget your fleet: electrifying forklifts and site vehicles further reduces direct emissions. 

3. Generate your own clean power 

Installing on-site renewables like Solar PV is one of the most effective ways to cut Scope 2 emissions. Many food and drink factories have large roof spaces or adjacent land — perfect for solar panels. 

Solar power increases your resilience by offsetting grid electricity consumption, reduces carbon emissions, and can lower energy bills. It’s especially impactful for daytime operations, where you use what you generate in real time. Add battery storage and turn it into a Microgrid solution, and you can maximise self-consumption or even create backup power for resilience. 

4. Use transitional tech wisely 

Full decarbonisation takes time. In the meantime, efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems can help. CHP units generate electricity and heat simultaneously, often more efficiently than separate systems. 

If sized and designed for future fuels like biomethane or hydrogen, CHP can be a smart stepping stone. Centrica Business Solutions can assess whether CHP suits your site — or whether Heat Pumps would be the smarter choice. 

5. Engage your supply chain 

Much of your carbon footprint lies beyond your factory walls. Tackling Scope 3 emissions means working with suppliers and distributors to reduce theirs. 

You can support farming partners to adopt renewables, help logistics providers shift to electric vehicles, or even fund upgrades at supplier sites through Centrica Business Solutions’ in-house financing models. These partnerships turn vague Scope 3 goals into measurable carbon cuts. 

6. Back it all with data 

To ensure credibility — and avoid accusations of greenwashing — your decarbonisation strategy must be grounded in robust, auditable data. Implement sub-metering and energy monitoring across your sites to track improvements in real time. Use recognised carbon accounting frameworks to verify savings and demonstrate progress to customers, retailers, and regulators. 

This isn’t just about compliance — it’s about confidence. When you can show exactly how much CO₂ you’ve cut, you build trust with stakeholders and empower your internal teams. Data also helps you spot inefficiencies, prioritise future investments, and celebrate wins. Centrica Business Solutions offers integrated monitoring and reporting tools that make it easier to quantify impact, benchmark performance, and stay on track with your net zero roadmap. 

Decarbonisation doesn’t mean compromise.

The same projects that cut carbon often reduce costs, improve reliability, and boost brand value. And with Centrica Business Solutions as your partner — offering audits, design, installation, and financing — you don’t have to go it alone. 

Next steps? Set a clear roadmap. Prioritise high-impact projects. Start with energy efficiency, then move to renewables and electrification. With the right plan, you can cut carbon, reduce cost, and raise resilience — starting today.