Press Release 20th December 2006

Flower Carbon Emissions Update

• Kenyan Roses shown to emit 5 times less carbon than Dutch
  Results released today from Cranfield University showed emissions from Kenyan flowers (including air freight) were 5.8 times lower than for Dutch flowers

• A challenge to local sourcing
  Results have provided a fresh challenge to current thinking on local sourcing and the impact of air freight versus artificial heating and lighting for cut flowers

• Robust study examines over 500 inputs
  The experts in environmental analysis at Cranfield University studied the production, packing, cooling and transport to Hampshire and included direct energy consumption, the manufacture, use and delivery of fertilisers, pesticides, vehicles, and materials used for buildings. 

• Life Cycle Assessment
  Cranfield scientists completed a 'Life Cycle Assessment' considered both the immediate emissions from growing the crop and the energy used to create and transport every component.  

• Global Warming Potential
  The study looked not just at current CO 2 emissions but also the wider Global Warming Potential (GWP) projected over the next 20, 100 and 500 years including other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.

• Less Global Warming Potential from Kenya
  The experts calculated that the GWP over the next 20 years would be 6.4 times higher when roses are grown in glasshouses in Holland than on the equator (in Kenya) and flown to the UK.  

• Explanation
  
  • Yield of roses in Kenya to be nearly 70% higher
  • The main Kenyan energy source is geothermal, whereas the Dutch is mainly fossil fuel
  • Roses grown in Kenya have the advantage of natural heat and light when compared to Holland.  
  • Roses are packed and transported in specially designed boxes which are efficient to air freight.
• Conclusions
  • This study demonstrated the natural production advantages of Kenya compared with the artificial growing conditions of Northern Europe.  
  • Kenya is able to utilize the optimal year round growing conditions and well as the supply of renewable geothermal energy, whereas growers in Holland need to rely on significant inputs of gas and electricity.
  • The Cranfield University study also demonstrated the importance of evaluating all the production inputs as well as the transport component in determining the overall impact of different supply chains in terms of total greenhouse gas production.

For further information please contact:

Ian Finlayson 07785 700058, Jim Floor 01256 704100

This work was completed based on figures from one operation in Kenya and one operation in Holland, but the authors would expect comparisons with other Dutch and Kenyan operations to produce generally similar results, but national averages have not been compared.

Comparative Study of Cut Roses Final Report Precis 12 Febv4.pdf