Whitney’s 2024 Sustainability Insights
The sustainability industry is all a buzz right now thanks in part due to the conclusion World Agri-Tech and Future Food-Tech. Both of these conferences were held in San Francisco only a few days apart. It’s always invigorating to see an industry abuzz after such an impactful event.
This got me thinking about what’s next in sustainability for agriculture and animal nutrition. I put together my own list of 8 insights that should be top of mind for any business that is in or adjacent to agriculture or animal production. So why not add to the buzz with my own insights?
If you are a food and beverage consumer packaged goods (CPG) company and not trying to monetize or, at the very least, market the agriculture in your supply chain, you're too late.
The EU is ahead of the U.S. in Ag and animal production sustainability infrastructure. So, if you are in the United States and in one of these industries, I would keep an eye on the EU. We will learn a lot about what works and what doesn’t. I’m especially interested in the role of regulatory in these industries, and how the producer reacts to new regulations.
To build on the point above, if I’m a decision maker, I wouldn’t wait to start looking into your footprint and sustainability plan. If you haven’t already figured out what this means for your company, you’re late.
There is no set way to undertake the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emission mitigation. Even the reporting agencies are not in consensus. So just start.
When starting MRV, know that everything will change.
Science will change.
The business conducting the M, R, or V will change. Many will fail.
The ones that don’t fail will be acquired.
My suggestion is to diversify.
If you are in Ag and aren’t following the Bayer + Microsoft data manager, then you need to be. You can find the link here.
I’d also suggest following Claudia Roessler on LinkedIn.
Animal MRV is lagging agriculture by about two years, but I think it will catch up by the end of next year. I have my reasons for this, and I’ll write about it soon.
I think PepsiCo has one of the best sustainability programs for large F&B companies. It’s called PepsiCo Positive (pep+). In my mind they are the leaders in their industry, and everyone should be taking notes. We’ll learn a lot from them over the next 5 years, and they will be shaping how regulators interact with global companies like them.
Lacky Ritchie on LinkedIn coined the term greenfreezing, and I think it’s worth noting here. He defines greengreezing as the situation when “a company is paralyzed by fear of misstep in climate action that is does nothing at all.” You can’t afford to do nothing anymore, and I hope this blog gives you a starting point if you are in the Food & Beverage industry.
My final piece of advice, start somewhere.
