Efeca | B Corp certified 2023

Fantastic launch event yesterday of Ambition 2030, The Food and Drink Federation’s new flagship environmental programme hosted at London Zoo Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Ambition 2030 set out a pathway to more #sustainable #food production, tackling critical sustainability and food security issues.

We loved co-hosting this event with Solidaridad Network at Zoological Society of London (ZSL). And there were many in our office who were slightly jealous of the wallaby and emu setting...

On Tuesday, FCDO convened a UK Roundtable on #LivingIncome. The Efeca | B Corp certified 2023 team, together with ISEAL, facilitated a conversation between a small group of companies and associations, including members of the UK Sustainable Commodities Initiative, to understand current efforts in enabling a living income for smallholder farmers in agricultural supply chains exposed to the risk of deforestation, and what action is needed to progress. This event was followed by a meeting hosted at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo: Shared Prosperity in the Palm Oil Value Chain, organised by Solidaridad Network. Drawing on the Palm Oil Barometer, due to be published soon, a panel of companies across the supply chain was moderated by Efeca, engaging in a conversation around action points for value chain actors in contributing to #sustainability and #prosperity. Thanks especially to panellists Fiona Wheatley Joseph James Lana Fadel Marieke Leegwater

"As the Earth approaches dangerous tipping points posing grave threats to humanity, a huge collective effort will be required over the next five years to tackle the dual climate and nature crises." Published yesterday, the WWF's Living Planet Report 2024 has revealed a 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations in just 50 years. This is a reminder both of the scale of the challenge ahead of us, and of the importance of urgently accelerating collective action to prevent further biodiversity loss in agricultural commodity supply chains and beyond. https://lnkd.in/egasNFp3

Our team has been at Food Matters Live in Ascot today, engaging with stakeholders from across the UK food sector on sustainable sourcing challenges and opportunities. Efeca Associate Judith Murdoch presented an overview of the implications of the EUDR on palm oil supply chains, how it compares to emerging regulation in the UK, and the role of emissions reduction initiatives in #deforestation policy. Will you be joining us for final day of the conference tomorrow? Come and find our team if so!

Efeca Consultant Conal Judd-English is at Food Matters Live in Ascot today speaking about the EU Deforestation Regulation and its implications for UK industry, including insight from the UK Sustainable Commodities Initiative’s work to develop supply chains free from #deforestation. Learn more about the event below - this afternoon we will be hearing from companies across the UK supply chain on the practicalities of meeting EUDR requirements.

Huge congratulations to the entire GCRF Trade, Development and the Environment Hub (TRADE Hub) team for their inspiring research and impressive achievements over the last 5 years! 🌱 You can find out more about their work and resources on their website at https://tradehub.earth/en #TRADEHub #UNEPWCMC #UNEP #ForNature

We are thrilled to announce that Efeca will be attending the second community-led Dorset COP event on the 2nd November! This year's focus is on the incredible power of community in driving climate action. 🌍 Our Director, Emily Fripp, shared her thoughts on the importance of this event: “It’s crucial that businesses and individuals take urgent action on climate change. We’ve encouraged our staff to attend Dorset COP by offering a day off in lieu because this is an opportunity to shape the future of our county. This event allows us to push forward crucial discussions and help policymakers and local government realise the need for action.” The event, held in beautiful Dorset, brings together leaders, activists, and community members to discuss and strategise on tackling climate change. #Efeca #DorsetCOP #ClimateAction #Sustainability

Our Efeca Éire team have had a great day supporting Origin Green - Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board in today's knowledge exchange workshop on #EUDR and #Cattle traceability. Thanks to all who attended today's event, and Deirdre Ryan for opening today's session. If you'd like further information please don't hesitate to get in touch. Ruth Hegarty, Jonathan Gorman, Emily Fripp, Ailbhe McGowan #deforestation #traceability #sustainability

🌍 Supporting the EU Deforestation Regulation: Stay the course, don’t penalize responsible companies The European Commission's decision to move forward with preparations for the EU Deforestation Regulation (#EUDR), despite pressure from both within and outside #Europe, sends a strong message. Under the adopted legislation, selected products (coffee, cocoa, soy, beef, palm oil, rubber, and wood), often linked to land clearing, need to be deforestation-free to enter the European market. This is key to protect our #forests worldwide, as the EU’s imports of such commodities account for 13-16% of global deforestation. With only about 7% of the world population, that is an outsized footprint. According to World Resources Institute's Global Forest Watch (GFW), in 2023, the world was losing almost 10 football fields of forest per minute. Currently we see devastating fires in Brazil – of up to 47,000 fire alerts since the beginning of this year - caused by a combination of drought, arson and land clearing for #agriculture. While concerns have been raised about the potential impact on trade and supply chains, the long-term benefits of EUDR far outweigh the short-term challenges. By setting a high bar, the EU encourages more sustainable practices globally, empowering responsible producers by creating a #market for their products. Producing countries that highlight the risk of smallholders being excluded from supply chains, should receive better EU-support to ensure their inclusion. On the other hand, some #companies acknowledge that sourcing requirements by the EU make it less easy for them to switch suppliers, which could strengthen the position of producers, including smallholder farmers. Delaying the #law will only create confusion, penalize parties that have already invested, and send the wrong message to trading partners. Stientje van Veldhoven, WRI Vice-President and Regional Director for Europe comments: “We must remain committed to protecting forests. The key is to address concerns through information, collaboration and support, not by delaying a regulation already agreed upon. Such would not only undermine EUDR, but weaken the EU legislative process. In the past 18 months, through our offices around the world, we’ve seen an unprecedented transformation in supply chain management and monitoring, thanks to the EUDR. While some clarifications are still needed, the regulation already provides clarity for companies to map supply chains and gather important information. The Commission should make haste to issue the last remaining guidelines. Now is the time to move forward confidently, showing that trade and #environmental protection can go hand-in-hand." The EUDR is badly needed to protect our vital forests. We should focus on making it work, not delaying it. Understand more, read this Euronews article: https://bit.ly/3TJTorh 🌱 #EUDeforestationRegulation #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Forests