The International Organisation of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has unveiled some initial results from a study of carbon footprinting in the ornamentals sector.
Presenting her interim results, Dutch researcher Dr Myrtille Danse stressed that this was only a small study. She compared Alstromerias grown in the Netherlands, Columbia and Kenya with roses grown in the same locations.
She explained that the study took into account all the inputs from young plant production through growing and the trade chain, as well as the transport to the shop.
In summary the relative energy inputs needed by the low input alstros and high input roses suggest that the cost of transport to Europe cancels out the energy to grow alstros in northern Europe, but roses flown in from Kenya win as the energy input in the African country is so much lower.
There are other factors to be added into the equation and AIPH members debated how sustainability issues would impact on the flower sector in the coming years. Implementing a common communication strategy would be important, as would be the involvement of all stakeholders.
AIPH president Doeke Faber stressed that they must avoid at all costs badly coordinated and dispersed issue management that could harm the entire sector.
AIPH was set up in 1948 to act as a coordinating body representing horticultural producers’ organizations all over the world to stimulate marketing of flowers, plants and landscaping services.
