Buying KRAV certified fish reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 50%

KRAV-approved cod generates 54% less greenhouse gases than ‘ordinary’ cod, according to a new report. Tomorrow, Friday May 28,  the first KRAV cod caught according to KRAV’s new climate standards reaches the shops.

Emissions of greenhouse gases from KRAV cod are around 54% lower than from cod that is not environmentally labelled, according to the report ‘Climate Smart KRAV Fish’, produced by KRAV together with SIK, the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology.  

From the time it is caught until it has been transported to the supermarket, a typical 400 gram pack of KRAV cod emits approx. 0.6 kg carbon dioxide, while the average pack of cod emits approx. 1.3 kg carbon dioxide.

"KRAV’s new climate regulations have a real effect. Buying KRAV cod is a strong statement that promotes sustainable fishing. Choosing an environmentally labelled product more than halves the climate impact of fish, compared with choosing indiscriminately”, said Johan Cejie, Climate expert at KRAV.

Beginning friday, Coop Sweden’s KRAV certified Änglamark cod will be available in their supermarkets. It is caught by Domstein according to KRAV’s new climate standards, which specify for example that only half a litre of fuel is permitted per kg landed fish.   

“Since KRAV-approved fishing only takes place in fish stocks with abundant fish, the fishing boats do not need to travel as far to catch the fish. They also use energy-saving methods and equipment. Overall, this leads to a substantial reduction in emissions of climate gases”, said Johan Cejie.

Domstein is in the process of adapting its twelve KRAV-approved line fishing boats to the new climate regulations. For example, freezer equipment will be replaced since freons are not permitted as refrigerants and only natural products such as ammonia and carbon dioxide may be used.

“It felt completely natural to adapt our process to KRAV’s new climate regulations. We want to do everything to ensure that the consumer can choose climate smart fish”, said Ulrica Wahlund, Domstein.

Friday May 28, Coop Forum in Häggvik, Stockholm, Sweden, is announcing that Änglamark is the first climate smart KRAV cod. Since last year, Coop has its own list of fish that can be bought and eaten for sustainable consumption.  

‘Labelling Coop Änglamark cod with the new KRAV label is in line with our new strategy for a living ocean. The Coop supports and promotes the development of environmentally labelled alternatives to make fishing and fish farming more sustainable’, said Mikael Robertsson, Environmental director, Coop.

KRAV-labelled fishing:

• Takes place on eight monitored, sustainable fish stocks that are approved for KRAV fishing. For example. checks are made for environmental pollutants in the fish stocks and excessive levels of dioxins and heavy metals mean that the fish stock is not approved.
• Has a limited climate impact
• Is carried out using equipment that limits bycatch and effects on the ecosystem.
• Uses positioning equipment in fishing boats so that the consumer has an excellent understanding of where the fish is caught and by whom.   

For more information see: http://www.krav.se/System/Spraklankar/In-English/Fishing/

The report

• Shows that an average 400 g pack of cod releases over 1.3 kg of greenhouse gases.
• Shows that a 400 g pack of Domstein and Coop Änglamark KRAV cod gives emissions of around 0.6 kg of greenhouse gases.
• Shows that a pack of cod with the KRAV label gives emissions of 0.8 kg of greenhouse gases as a theoretical maximum value.
• Is based on fuel consumption per kg caught fish, the refrigerant used on the boats, and subsequent processing, packaging and transport.
• Applies mass allocation, which is a principle for distributing the ‘climate cost’ between flesh, bone and guts. Allocation principles and other boundaries vary, so caution is needed when comparing values between studies.

The report is available in Swedish from Kristin Cooper  upon request at. From Friday morning (CET) it will be publicaly available at www.krav.se. The full report is being translated into English, and should become available at www.krav.se/System/Spraklankar/In-English/Fishing/ no later than June 1, 2010.

Contacts

• Johan Cejie, Climate expert, KRAV, +46 70 665 93 76, johan.cejie@krav.se
• Friederike Ziegler, LCA expert SIK, +46 10 516 66 54, fz@sik.se
• Mikael Robertsson, Environmental director, Coop, +46 8 743 15 09
• Ulrica Wahlund, Domstein, Sweden, +46 70 399 93 53, ulrica.wahlund@domstein.se
• Kristin Cooper, Press officer KRAV, +46 70 665 95 30, kristin.cooper@krav.se