LED 4 Food publications

The Long-Term Improvement in Environmental Data for Food project – better known as LED 4 Food – is making environmental impact data more reliable and accessible for businesses within the food system.

Explore our latest publications below.

Deliverable 2.1

Describes the approach being taken to support data format harmonisation and improved data interoperability in the supply chain, as well as a 'roadmap' of key milestones across the WP timeline.

Key findings:

• The HESTIA data format will be used to standardise data formats across the supply chain.
• Initial work will prioritise data format harmonisation with farm carbon calculators, and later LCA databases.
• The roadmap outlines key documentation, mapping activities, case study development and alignment opportunities to be expected throughout project delivery. 

Overview for businesses:
A guide to what data format harmonisation means for businesses in the food and drink supply chain, including a roadmap of milestone actions planned up until March 2027, can also be found at the end of this page. 

Deliverable 3.1

The first report describes the initial concepts for an accessible and user-friendly environmental impact data website, including outcomes from user needs interviews to shape the core features of the website.

Key findings:

• Nine user needs interviews were conducted with businesses across the food and drink supply chain (e.g., consultants, retailers, non-profits, wholesalers, food service).
• Core features of the website and underlying database noted in the interviews included an underlying consistent format to the data, a user guide and transparency of data methodology, country-specific information and an intuitive search and filter feature. 

Deliverables 4.1-4.2

WRAP is issuing recommendations to Defra for a harmonised methodological approach to product carbon footprinting for food and drink products. This is to inform government on what a consistent approach across the UK should look like and support food businesses and data service providers on interpreting international standards consistently to maximise positive outcomes across the food system.

It is presented as two reports: 4.2 presents the final recommendations, with methodology designed to be applicable by businesses in their product carbon footprints, whereas 4.1 goes into depth on the details, evidence used and reasoning behind recommendations.

Key findings:

• We make recommendations for a harmonised product-level life-cycle assessment methodology for food and drink products.
• The methodology is designed with multiple use-cases in mind, improving efficiency of data use between Scope 3 reporting and product carbon footprints.
• The recommendations are presented in two reports, one providing the recommendations to be applied by businesses (4.2) and the other full details on the reasoning behind these recommendations (4.1).

A period of testing and feedback will be starting around September 2025. 
Register interest by emailing [email protected]