Dear John,
There is much discussion around what a just transition looks like in the energy and transportation sectors. But one sector that has received less consideration is food and agriculture—where a just transition is a critical issue.
Responsible for about 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions, the food sector is a major player in the transition to a lower emissions economy, as well as acutely exposed to the impacts of climate change. This is why Ceres launched Food Emissions 50, an investor-led initiative to accelerate progress towards a net zero future in the food sector, one of the focus sectors in Ceres Ambition 2030. Under increased pressure from consumers and investors to address these risks, more companies are announcing their climate transition plans, including many leaders in the food and agriculture sector.
In creating their climate transition plans, food companies must address risks to the sector's most critical actors: farmers and farmworkers. A just transition means supporting farmers and farmworkers in the transition to lower emissions modes of production, along with building resilience to the physical impacts of climate change.
These individuals will have ultimate responsibility for making the necessary changes to protect our food system from climate change and reduce emissions from agricultural production. By supporting farmers and farmworkers, companies can help create agricultural production models that are more sustainable, regenerative, and profitable than the current one.
Our new report discusses the importance of ensuring the climate transition in the food and agriculture sector is fair and equitable for farmers and farmworkers. |
|
Climate Transition Plans in the U.S. Food Sector: Addressing Risks to Farmers and Farmworkers
outlines the business case for assessing and tackling risks and impacts to these groups and offers guidance to companies and investors on what effective just and inclusive transition plans should include. |
| You can also watch our recent webinar:
Addressing Risks to Farmers and Farmworkers in Climate Transition Plans
, which dives into the report and discusses why the just transition is a two-fold issue for the food sector, how risks to farmers and farmworkers are business risks within corporate supply chains, and how food companies can address risks to farmers and farmworkers in their climate transition plans. |
Thank you,
 |
|
Meryl Richards, Ph.D.
Director, Food and Forests
Ceres | |
| P.S. If you are in the New York area or planning to attend Ceres Global March 22-24, be sure to attend my session:
Lessons from the Food Sector: Supplier Engagement to Tackle Scope 3 Emissions on Thursday, March 23, 11:25am-12:10pm. We will discuss how supply chain (scope 3) emissions represent over 90% of the GHG footprint of most food and consumer goods companies, and explore how Aramark, Kellogg Co. and PepsiCo are engaging their supply chains to tackle them. See you in New York! |
