2024

Scope 3 emissions, which encompass the entire food and drink supply chain, represent a significant portion of emissions within the F&D sector. Although managing these emissions may seem challenging, it presents a fantastic opportunity for the F&D industry to innovate, reduce costs, implement regenerative practices and enhance sustainability across the supply chain. Embracing the challenge of Scope 3 emissions can position food and drink companies as leaders in sustainability, helping to attract conscious consumers, investors, and partners while driving long-term growth and resilience.

A fireside chat with the Chief Executive of EIT Food, Richard Zaltzman, on the EIT Food’s mandate and support for building a resilient future food system.

Join Dr Ian Noble, Vice President, Research & Development, Mondelēz, as he speaks candidly on the sustainable food transition and measures towards a more resilient food system.

There is clear evidence to suggest that an increased consumption of plants in our diets will have profound implications for our planet and for human health. However, few governments actively prioritise the design of a modern food system that embraces plant-based living. Many still continue to support industrial meat consumption through subsidies and other targeted interventions. Against this backdrop, a new and coherent food policy is required that scales down the consumption of animal products, supporting a shift towards plant-based diets and the increased allocation of land towards arable farming systems. However, this is by no means straightforward. Meat consumption is an emotive subject, deeply entrenched in society. How can we support farmers, companies and other stakeholders to transition away from large-scale meat production? How should governments design policies that increase the proportion of fruits and vegetables in national diets?

Regenerative agricultural practices are heralded as the answer to the future of farming, which is responsible for the majority of emissions within the food suppy chain. Extending its reach and implementation is vital for the sustainability transition. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly being embraced by corporations, but who is responsible for its implementation and finance? Is the term “regenerative” simply the latest corporate buzzword that is being used to mask the reality of continued agricultural expansion? How are farmers expected to manage extreme financial pressures, regulatory constraints, supermarket demands and a myriad of problems?

Long neglected, COP 28 finally put food on the discussion table. Food and Drink (F&D) systems from what we eat, how we grow, shop, and cook it, is responsible for approximately a third of global gas emissions. After the ground-breaking global declaration, signed by over 130 countries, what is next for food systems and the sustainable transition required within F&D. Will the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture work? Will progress be made and what challenges lie ahead?