Our Top Stories
A lack of understanding: The Good Food Nation annual survey was released last week, asking UK adults about their attitudes towards food sustainability. The results showed that 60% of respondents do not understand what a carbon footprint is, but 25% said they would change their diet if they knew more about its climate impact. This is on top of the 29% of adults who said they are willing to change their eating habits for the sake of the planet. One major barrier to shifting behaviours is a lack of understanding. This proves that we need more innovative solutions and nationwide education programmes to make climate action more accessible to the masses. [Immediate Media]
Changing the default choice: Foodservice Footprint reports on new research led by Paul Lohmann at the University of Cambridge, which tested different interventions to reduce the carbon footprint of food choices made on food-delivery apps. They found that reordering the menu, with low-carbon meal choices at the top, significantly reduced the average meal carbon footprint by 0.3 kg CO2e. The results show that simple nudges may well be the most effective at shifting behaviour, whilst also being the cheapest to implement for foodservice businesses. [Foodservice Footprint]
Just Eat has been trialling sustainable behavioural nudge mechanisms already, thanks to their partnership with My Emissions to display carbon footprint information for meals at selected restaurants. Image source: Foodservice Footprint
Business Spotlight - Lidl
The supermarket giant Lidl has set a 2050 net-zero target that is applicable globally and covers emissions across all scopes. It has also set interim targets to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational emissions by 70% by 2030, against a 2019 baseline. These targets have been set in the wake of the fast progress made in the UK, with the retailer’s British operations now powered by 100% renewable electricity. Understanding the task at hand, Lidl GB’s chief executive Ryan McDonnell said “We know that collaboration will be central to our aims – from engaging customers on our progress to working closely with suppliers to develop products more sustainably”.
The Big Picture
The top 10 food businesses in the UK collectively emit more greenhouse gases than the entire aviation industry. Image source: Bite Back
About Vela
At Vela, we make better choices feel effortless.
Since day one, we’ve been building tools that reward you for living well — for your health, your wallet, and the planet.
Whether it’s tracking everyday spending, earning points for healthier shops, or unlocking rewards you actually want, Vela turns intention into action. Because most people care. They just need it to fit into real life.
We don’t believe sustainability should feel like sacrifice.
Our goal is simple: remove the trade-offs. Make climate-positive living practical. Make healthy habits rewarding. Make doing better feel worth it.
We’re here to spark a shift in everyday behaviour — one shop, one choice, one reward at a time.
