Business Sector Exchange: Food
The global food system accounts for 21-37% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Over 3 million tonnes of good-to-eat surplus food goes to waste every year in the UK, despite food poverty reaching new highs. Over 70% of UK land is used for agriculture, and high yield farming continues to have devasting impacts on wildlife and soil health. To make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the food industry needs to transform systemically and take urgent action to tackle waste and poverty, whilst up taking regenerative approaches to food production. For businesses to be ahead of the curve, the UN Global Compact Network UK will mobilise the food industry towards sustainable impact in the everchanging ESG landscape.
Food Sector Exchange
On 10 July 2024, the UN Global Compact Network UK, in collaboration with The Conduit, convened over 80 professionals from the food, beverage, agriculture, and sustainability industries to mobilise stakeholders toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 at the Food Sector Exchange.
Attendees joined business, government, academia, and civil society representatives to gain a better understanding of current sustainability issues, to hear best practices from businesses that were ahead of the curve, and to inspire action through networking with peers. Key themes discussed included enabling a just transition, investing in a sustainable food system, and future trends in the sector.
Emphasising the complexity of achieving sustainability in the food sector, the event reinforced the importance of a joint responsibility among all stakeholders – governments, businesses, consumers, and financial institutions – to drive the transition.
Interested in learning more about what sustainability leaders had to say? Discover key insights and actionable strategies discussed by industry experts by downloading the key takeaways below.
Speakers:
- Balwinder Dhoot, Food and Drink Federation
- María Alejandra Pulido, Climate Bonds Initiative
- Sarah Cook, UN Global Compact Network UK
- Andy York, Pilgrim’s UK
- Sally Uren, Forum for the Future
- Mike Hanson, WSH
- Adele Jones, Sustainable Food Trust
- Eleanor Besley-Gould, Xynteo
- Maria Carvalho, NatWest Group
- Khanh Mach, Quorn
- Sandrine Ricard, Pernod Ricard
Food Systems Fireside Chat
The global food system stands at a pivotal crossroads, serving as a significant driver of climate change while also offering vast opportunities for innovation and transformation, with an estimated value of $14 trillion. Addressing food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and health challenges requires a holistic approach that integrates sustainability across the entire food value chain. A just transition for all stakeholders, from production to consumption, is crucial to creating a net-zero food system that supports environmental resilience and economic opportunity.
Watch our fireside chat with UN Global Compact Participant EY, and industry leader, The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), as we discuss how businesses can play a pivotal role in transforming the global food system. The conversation delves into the importance of innovation, the extensive business opportunities within sustainable food systems, and the necessity for collaboration across the value chain to achieve a transition that benefits everyone.
Speakers:
- Kirsty Saddler, IGD
- David Kennedy, EY
For more information on our sustainable food programming, please contact Lily Venables, Governance and SDGs Project Manager.