Currently, the horticultural sector still uses the Hortifootprint Category Rules, but soon for floriculture this standardization will change to the Flori Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (FloriPEFCR). With the FloriPEFCR we ensure that we will calculate footprints in the same way in Europe. This creates reliable results that can be compared with each other and creates equality in the sector. The FloriPEFCR will create beautiful and big opportunities in the future…

What exactly are we talking about?

The FloriPEFCR is developed by Wageningen University & Research and the Technical Secretariat in which Royal FloraHolland and other large organizations participate. The PEFCR consists of calculation rules for each impact category to calculate a footprint of a product. You can see it as a big cookbook. For each dish, or in this case each impact category, it describes what to include and what to do. If everyone starts cooking the same way, the dishes will all turn out the same. That is also how it works with FloriPEFCR. With the FloriPEFCR as a European standard, consultancy firms will use the same methodology and the environmental impact of products will be comparable.

Watertight information

The whole idea of using the FloriPEFCR as a standard is to generate reliable results and comparable outcomes. But what exactly does that mean? The goal is to avoid greenwashing and make the impact of plants comparable. The demand for environmental information of products is increasing not only in the floriculture and horticulture sector, but also among consumers. Consumers increasingly want to make green purchases and for them it is therefore important to know the environmental impact of plants. The sustainable claims made today are not completely watertight, while consumers need this.

The role of Greenhouse Sustainability in FloriPEFCR

The first draft of the FloriPEFCR has been completed. By Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Greenhouse Marketeers and others have been asked to conduct supporting studies. The idea is to test the framework of the FloriPEFCR in practice. Testing whether it is feasible and time-efficient, but also whether there are data gaps. Based on that, feedback was given to WUR.

Because Greenhouse Sustainability was allowed to participate in these supporting studies, we were able to gain experience in conducting a FloriPEFCR study and are therefore prepared for the new standard of footprint calculations.

Are you ready to go greener?

This development of environmental footprint methodology for floriculture products, helps the industry to concretize existing sustainability actions. It helps a company, within its supply chain, learn more about the overall impact of the product and determine how they can reduce their share of the environmental impact. As with anything, the first footprint calculation will be challenging for companies, but subsequent times will be easier.

We at Greenhouse Sustainability will do our best to guide growers through a life cycle assessment (LCA) based on the FloriPEFCR in the most efficient way possible. With a footprint based on the Flori Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules your company will be prepared for the wishes and requirements of (end) customers and governments. You will be able to make substantiated green claims and reduce the footprint of the floriculture sector. Let’s get climate positive!