What’s the environmental impact of growing plants and flowers? It’s something consumers and retailers want to know nowadays.
At the moment, there's no standard method by which to calculate it. But that's about to change. Royal FloraHolland explains HortiFootprint in five questions.
1. A standard method by which to calculate the environmental impact of our plants and flowers. Why is that necessary?
It's what the market wants. Buyers and consumers increasingly want to know what the environmental effects are of ornamental plants and flowers. Currently, you are not obliged to demonstrate your environmental impact, but we do expect the EU to implement regulations in this regard soon. In anticipation of these, we're making a start ourselves.
Piet Briët (Royal FloraHolland): "It won't be long before retailers refuse to sell products of which the environmental impact is unknown. Flowers and plants will be no exception. The floriculture industry, therefore, will want to put its best foot forward.
2. Are there benefits or opportunities for us as growers?
Absolutely. HortiFootprint is a great way to audit your company. For often, high environmental impact goes hand in hand with unnecessarily high costs. Experience has already shown that a lot of money can be saved on gas and electricity. Better for the environment, but also better for your bank balance.
On top of that, it's a great way to stand out in the market. By
growing roses with a low environmental impact, for instance, your product will be more attractive to certain buyers.
Karolien Tesselaar (Tesselaar Alstroemeria): "I use HortiFootprint as a management tool. It gives you a good idea about where the highest costs are being made. That's valuable information that we take into account when taking decisions. A year later, we do the calculations again and that way, we always know very well where we stand.''
3. How does HortiFootprint work?
We calculate environmental impact using our own operational data. We already record our fertilisers, pesticides and crop-protection agents but HortiFootprint is far more comprehensive than that. In all, the method comprises 16 indicators covering aspects such as CO2 emissions, the use of harmful substances, the reuse of residual products, land use and water pollution.
There are already software packages on the market with which you can calculate your environmental impact but the calculation rules they use vary. When HortiFootprint becomes the accepted standard, everybody will be on the same page. So if you choose Software Package A, it will yield the same result as Software Package B.
Piet Briët (Royal FloraHolland): "A standard method of calculation that's internationally recognised will enable us to better anticipate future market demands."
4. Does HortiFootprint take our suppliers and customers into account?
Yes, it does. The environmental impact of our products is affected by more than growers alone. Are your flowers germinated in Africa and then flown to the Netherlands? That has an environmental impact. HortiFootprint takes the entire lifecycle of plants and flowers into account.
With everybody soon using the same calculation method, we'll be able to really analyse and compare practices with a view to devising smart solutions that result in less severe environmental impact. The whole chain needs to be involved and HortiFootprint will enable us to really get to the heart of matters. Together, we'll be able to devise solutions that work for us all. What more could you want?
Karolien Tesselaar (Tesselaar Alstroemeria): "The continuous effort to reduce our footprint leads us to think outside the box. The Benefits of Nature network, for instance, put us onto a testing partner. We're now working with them to see if we can extract fertiliser from Alstroemeria green waste. Win-win: fertiliser for us and at the same time less waste."
5. What's the plan?
HortiFootprint is being developed in conjunction with GroentenFruit Huis, Wageningen Economic Research, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, Benefits of Nature, Glastuinbouw Nederland and a number of other parties. We will present a draft methodology during Q1 of 2020 and by the end of 2021, the European standard will be in place. This will enable us to meet the needs and requirements of the sector, government and retailers. And, of course, growers will have a detailed answer ready when asked how sustainable their products are.
Source: Royal FloraHolland