Quantifying Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in UK Food and Drink Manufacturing Facilities

Despite the food and drink manufacturing sector being one of the United Kingdom's (UK) largest manufacturing industries and a significant consumer of industrial energy, there remains limited facility-level evidence on energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study assesses energy use and GHG emissions across 12 food and drink manufacturing companies in South Yorkshire, UK, a region with a large manufacturing cluster. Data was collected from companies through surveys and informal interviews, with energy use determined from utility bills or calculated from equipment power over operating hours. Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions were estimated based on the energy equivalent of annual electricity, natural gas, and petroleum-based heating fuels, which is provided by the UK government. The analysis revealed that the average energy mix for participating food and drink manufacturers in South Yorkshire relied approximately 20 percentage points higher on natural gas than the national industry average. Cumulative energy use totaled 34.64 GWh, with corresponding GHG emissions of 7,152 t CO2e. One ready meal company had a disproportionately high share of energy use and emissions due to its much larger size. However, the significance of SMEs was also shown when aggregated. By quantifying energy use and GHG emissions, this study provides baseline data to support measurable sustainability targets, identifies opportunities for decarbonisation intervention, and informs both corporate decision-making and policy development in the food and drink manufacturing sector.