Scotland is a land of invention – from the telephone to the TV, penicillin to the postage stamp. We have deep-rooted creative and entrepreneurial spirit and for food and drink businesses in the modern age, that energy has largely been harnessed in developing new products. But as we respond to the climate emergency, it’s time to recognise that innovation and investment in Net Zero should be treated with the same strategic weight as developing a new product line. Scotland’s ambition to reach Net Zero emissions by 2045 – five years ahead of the UK’s national target – is not just a political objective, it’s an economic and ethical imperative.
This commitment isn’t merely a governmental move, it’s a call to action for every sector, especially food and drink, which is intricately linked to our natural resources and rural communities. There is a prevailing misconception that Net Zero action means major capital expenditure on grand projects like new EV fleets, solar panel arrays or production overhauls. While such projects may be part of the mix, many of the most impactful Net Zero practices are operational and incremental. Better procurement choices, energy efficiency initiatives, transport planning, staff engagement and waste reduction are all cost-effective and impactful adaptations businesses can make.
These aren’t one-off investments. They demand sustained focus and, crucially, consistent funding. That funding doesn’t always have to be substantial, but it must be smart. For instance, the Future Farming Investment Scheme is supporting equipment upgrades that improve both productivity and emissions. Similarly, energy audits and tailored support from Business Energy Scotland are helping small food producers prioritise low-cost, high-impact improvements.
These kinds of targeted interventions show that sustainability progress is possible without major capital commitments – but it does require clear pathways and accessible support. In this way, Net Zero planning should be treated as being equivalent in importance to future success as NPD. Businesses understand that launching new products involves ongoing testing, iteration, and refinement. It requires allocated funding, cross-functional collaboration, and an understanding that returns will materialise over time.
Sustainability must be framed in the same way – as a continuous process embedded in business strategy, not as an occasional bolt-on or compliance exercise. Take Blackthorn Salt and Orkney Gin Company for example – two producers that treat sustainability as a core driver of product innovation. Their success proves that environmental ambition can sharpen, not stifle, commercial creativity. By integrating low-impact sourcing and energy-efficient production into their brands, they’ve turned Net Zero principles into market differentiation.
Scotland Food & Drink’s national strategy “Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World” identifies a clear opportunity to build resilience and unlock growth by embedding sustainability at the heart of operations. This aligns with insights from The Knowledge Bank, which show that Scottish provenance and environmental responsibility both carry growing weight with decision-makers at UK retailers, and with consumers. According to YouGov, 57% of UK shoppers are more likely to purchase a food or drink product that is locally produced and sustainable. The economic case is clear.
Meanwhile, Scottish Enterprise estimates that delivering Net Zero will require over £12 billion in private sector investment by 2045 and could support more than 100,000 new associated jobs. This isn’t just about futureproofing, it’s about being future facing. We are already seeing Scottish food and drink businesses make progress – from smaller producers trialling zero-waste delivery models to larger manufacturers investing in low-carbon logistics and on-site renewables. In fact, our own data (polling Scottish food and drink businesses) found that three quarters (73%) of Scottish producers already have Net Zero strategies that they’re delivering on. But scaling up action requires a mindset shift, from thinking of Net Zero as a cost, to seeing it as a driver of competitiveness and innovation.
At the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Net Zero Commitment, we’re supporting the industry through tailored guidance, peer learning, and practical tools that help integrate Net Zero into everyday operations. Our goal is not to overwhelm businesses with targets, but to build confidence and show that sustainability and commercial growth go hand in hand. If we’re serious about safeguarding the future of our sector, we must treat Net Zero with the same rigour, creativity, and operational spend that we apply to product development.
Innovation isn’t just what we put on shelves, it’s how we operate as responsible, forward-thinking businesses. Just as no business can afford to stand still on product development, neither can they afford to delay on sustainability. If you’re planning your 2026 innovation roadmap, ask yourself: where is Net Zero on the agenda and is it being treated like it matters?
