Sustainability

SWA’s sustainability programme enables our members to advance their transition to Net Zero by providing information and insights, and opportunities for engagement in impactful initiatives – empowering them to drive meaningful change.

Sustainability Circular Leaves
Electric-Powered-Fleet-Vehicles-SWAEngineer fitting Solar Panels to warehouse roofWatermark 'V' enters from rightWatermark 'V' enters from left
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Sustainability

SWA’s sustainability programme enables our members to advance their transition to Net Zero by providing information and insights, and opportunities for engagement in impactful initiatives – empowering them to drive meaningful change.

Sustainability Circular Leaves
Electric-Powered-Fleet-Vehicles-SWAEngineer fitting Solar Panels to warehouse roofWatermark 'V' enters from rightWatermark 'V' enters from left
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Driving Sustainability in Food and Drink Wholesale

As the effects of climate change worsen and impacts are felt across food supply chains, action from business is needed.

Wholesalers are particularly vulnerable to climate risks such as extreme weather shocks, which can cause reduced crop yields and increased price volatility. A changing climate can also lead to disruptions in logistics and supply chain networks.

The Scottish Wholesale Association is committed to supporting our members in achieving environmental goals and safeguarding their businesses in the process.

The Scottish wholesale sector is stepping up to the challenge, joining the UK-wide ambition for the sector to reach Net Zero by 2040. For further details, please see our Net Zero Roadmap.

SWA provides support, information, and guidance to help our members take steps towards greater sustainability, whether they are just starting out, or are further along on their journey to Net Zero.

Key Actions To Achieving Net Zero

Our research identifies key sources of greenhouse gas emissions for the food and drink wholesale sector as:

  • Road transport, particularly HGVs
  • Electricity and use of fuel to heat buildings
  • Refrigerant leaks
  • Value chain, or Scope 3, emissions that occur in the upstream and downstream activities of an organisation, such as purchased goods and services, and waste
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Getting Started

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Read our Decarbonising the Scottish Wholesale Sector Report

Find out more about carbon emissions and opportunities and barriers to climate action >>

There is a variety of actions members can take, from exploring what the key sources of carbon emissions are in their business, to setting targets and developing a decarbonisation strategy.

Case Study

Sustainable Success in Orkney: Wilson’s Journey Toward Net Zero

“As a small enterprise, we find the additional intellectual and administrative horsepower provided by SWA membership to be disproportionately beneficial, and therefore vital when navigating national initiatives.”
JAMES LEONARD - General Manager

READ MORE

Net Zero Priorities

SCOTTISH WHOLESALE ASSOCIATION
"We are committed to supporting our members in achieving environmental goals and safeguarding their businesses in the process. The Scottish wholesale sector is stepping up to the challenge, joining the UK-wide ambition for the sector to reach Net Zero by 2040."
YLVA HAGLUND, Head of Sustainability & Communications
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