An investigation into the sustainability practices of large food manufacturers with operations in Australia and their supply chains

Globally the food industry has a very significant environmental and social footprint. Environmental Issues include significant deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and water useage. Social issues include poor and dangerous working condtions, underpayment and child labour in some instances. The research that was carried out and is decribed in the thesis involved interviewing senior management from 16 large food companies with manufacturing operations in Australia who had responsibilty for sustainability. Most of the interviewed companies had extensive global supply chains. Drivers and barriers to the implemention of sustainabililty initiatives in the large food companies were identified as were sustainability practices and best practices that should be of benefit to industry, academia, and regulatory personnel.