Will Green (Director of Sales and Marketing) After Attending The UK Pet Food Sustainability Ambition 2030
Dogs and humans have been intertwined for thousands of years, and that symbiotic relationship extends far beyond companionship. It was a theme that resonated strongly during the UK Pet Food Sustainability Ambition 2030 launch at the Houses of Parliament - an event that highlighted how closely connected our respective food systems truly are.
People often think about sustainability in terms of what they can physically hold in their hand; packaging is visible, tactile and easy to assess.
But packaging is only one piece of the puzzle.
Sustainability in pet food also involves transport emissions, supply-chain distances, ingredient origins and the efficiency with which raw materials are used. These elements are far harder for consumers to see, yet they have an enormous environmental impact.
One of the most overlooked truths is that the pet food sector sits at the intersection of human food production and environmental responsibility. Pet food often makes use of nutrient-dense ingredients that have limited or no demand in the UK human food market. At Paleo Ridge, this principle is central to our sustainability ethos.
How Paleo Ridge Helps Reduce Waste and Support a Circular Food System
Much of the meat used in our raw recipes - including tripe, heart, bone, offal and other organs - would otherwise go unused. While some of these ingredients are enjoyed in certain cuisines abroad, domestic demand in the UK is very low.
By championing, and using these cuts, Paleo Ridge plays a crucial role in reducing waste from the human food chain. We ensure that high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients are utilised responsibly, rather than discarded or shipped abroad.
We also source the vast majority of our ingredients and packaging from within the UK. This dramatically reduces transport miles, supports local agriculture, industry and cuts emissions compared with global supply chains reliant on long-distance imports.
This is sustainability in action - not as a marketing slogan, but as a day-to-day operational reality.
The UK Pet Food Sustainability Ambition 2030: Five Pillars for a Better Future
The Sustainability Ambition 2030 provides a structured pathway for the entire sector. Its five focus areas outline where progress must be made:
1. Net Zero
Contributing to a 50% reduction in emissions across the agrifood supply chain by 2030.
2. Nature Restoration
Supporting the UK’s Nature Positive ambition by helping halt and reverse nature loss, while encouraging responsible interaction with natural spaces.
3. Sustainable Commodities
Eliminating deforestation and conversion from directly sourced ingredients by 2030.
4. Circular Food Systems
Increasing the use of co-products, adopting innovative ingredients and improving efficiency in manufacturing.
5. Packaging
Championing a world-class UK recycling system and reducing the environmental footprint of packaging materials.
These pillars are supported by industry-wide sustainability principles that connect pet health, human wellbeing and the environment – an approach known as One Health. It’s a framework that mirrors much of what Paleo Ridge believes in: responsible nutrition, ethical sourcing, informed consumer choice and continuous improvement.
A Meaningful Evening in Parliament
The launch was held in one of the most recognisable institutions in the country, and the turnout was exceptional. Fifteen MPs and Peers attended, including Shadow Ministers, Select Committee members, spokespeople for rural affairs, mental health advocates and representatives from DEFRA-relevant committees.
The room sponsor was Dr Danny Chambers MP - the Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester, a practising vet and a leading voice for mental health. Given that Paleo Ridge produces all its food close to his constituency, it was a privilege to meet him and discuss not only sustainability but the often-overlooked connection between pets and mental wellbeing.
His speech captured the heart of the issue: sustainability is not just about numbers and targets. It’s about the role pets play in society, the impact pet ownership has on wellbeing, and the responsibility we hold to ensure the pet food industry contributes positively to the world around us.
Representatives from key organisations including the RSPCA, RSPB, Compassion in World Farming, the Soil Association, Vet Sustain, the AIC and the BVA were also in attendance. Their presence highlighted the depth of collaboration behind the Ambition 2030 roadmap.
Why This Matters for the Future of UK Pet Food
For the UK to meet its environmental goals, every industry must play its part. The pet food sector - often overlooked in wider sustainability discussions - has a powerful opportunity to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and support nature restoration.
My hope is that more pet food manufacturers embrace a sustainable approach and work collaboratively with the wider industry to drive change. The UK has a chance to become a global leader in sustainable pet nutrition, and the foundation for that leadership is now firmly in place.
At Paleo Ridge, we are committed to pushing this agenda forward. Sustainability has always been central to who we are, and we will continue to innovate, source responsibly and support initiatives that benefit pets, people and the planet.
