FAIRR Initiative’s Post

🌾 According to the United Nations, governments provide nearly $500 billion per year of agricultural support that is price distorting and environmentally and socially harmful. The damage to nature caused by agricultural subsidy regimes each year is estimated at US $4-6 trillion. 🌎 At #COP16Colombia this October, parties will convene to discuss how each country aims to achieve the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15. Amongst other critical #ESG issues, FAIRR will be engaging with policymakers on the subject of repurposing harmful agricultural subsidies. 🌳 This is essential to ensure that Target 18 of the Global Biodiversity Framework goal to reduce harmful incentives by at least $500 billion per year and scale up positive incentives for biodiversity is achieved. These discussions will build on the momentum from FAIRR’s 2023 investor statement which called on the G20 Finance Ministers to realign agricultural subsidies in line with climate and nature goals. The statement was supported by investors representing $7.2 trillion in combined assets. Read the statement here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gy_twAbC Find out more about FAIRR’s presence at COP16 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e3APVpgm

FAIRR was thrilled to participate in the World AgriFood Innovation (WAFI) conference in Pinggu, Beijing! The FAIRR team - Erika Susanto, Sajeev Mohankumar. PhD, and Changtong Huang 黄畅通 - hosted a high-impact closed-door roundtable with key stakeholders, participated in panel discussions, and engaged with leading investors and top Chinese agribusinesses. Some of our key takeaways from the conference include:  🔑 Collaboration in action - it was inspiring to see China’s top universities, government bodies and international think tanks working together to push the agenda on low-carbon agriculture through cutting-edge research, policy, and technology.  🌿 Climate takes centre stage over nature - climate risk and mitigation strategies were hot topics, but there was limited mention of nature and biodiversity - a crucial area that needs more attention. 🌱 Protein Diversification - multiple panels emphasised that reducing livestock product consumption is critical to achieving net-zero goals. The Chinese government also showed strong support for research on #AlternativeProteins through initiatives like the Beijing Alternative Protein Food Industry Alliance. 🚜 Sustainable Production Practices - some of the world’s largest meat and dairy producers showcased innovative strategies such as feed additives, manure management and #RegenerativeAgriculture to minimise their climate footprint. 💡 Taxonomies & Transition Plans - there were important discussions on the need to develop clear and robust taxonomies and transition plans that can help China move towards low-carbon agriculture. It was great to connect with key stakeholders within the industry, including Bruce Friedrich, President and Founder of The Good Food Institute and Sir David Nabarro, a British Special Envoy on Covid-19. FAIRR is excited to see how these conversations will shape the future of sustainable food systems in China, a key and influential player in the agrifood space. #WAFI2024

FAIRR’s latest insight, authored by Weiming Pu, ESG Analyst, explores the ways in which China's Three-Year Action Plan for Reducing Soybean Meal in Feed is reshaping the agricultural landscape and bringing sustainable practices to the forefront 🌾 Faced with high import dependency, the plan is driving feed innovation and encouraging companies to adopt #AlternativeProtein sources, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. This policy shift has potential ripple effects beyond China, impacting global supply chains and commodity markets 🌐   As we observe #WorldFoodDay, this initiative highlights the crucial role of #SustainableAgriculture in ensuring food security for future generations. For investors, this represents new opportunities in alternative proteins, feed technology, and sustainable agricultural practices. Aligning portfolios with these trends can foster both financial growth and positive environmental impact 🌍    Read the insight in full 👉 https://lnkd.in/ev427V65

✍️ Phase 2 of FAIRR’s Protein Diversification engagement is open for sign-on! 🌱 Increasing consumption of #AlternativeProtein sources is critical to achieving #ParisAgreement goals. A global shift to a flexitarian diet, in which 75% of meat and dairy is replaced by #PlantBased foods, could decrease land-based emissions by more than 41%. 🌎 FAIRR’s Protein Diversification engagement works with 20 of the largest global food manufacturers and retailers to encourage them to diversify their protein portfolios and promote diets that are both healthy and #sustainable. In year two, the engagement will track progress against three key asks for companies to: ➡️ Support the transition to healthy, sustainable diets through integrating protein diversification into their climate strategies. ➡️ Allocate resources to diversify their protein portfolio and improve nutrition and sustainability attributes. ➡️ Engage consumers to promote the uptake of nutritious and sustainable alternative protein sources. In 2023-24, 66 investor signatories with over USD $10.8 trillion in combined assets supported Phase 1 of the engagement. 🔗 For FAIRR members, sign-on here: https://lnkd.in/egZmNqgB 

FAIRR is looking forward to attending #COP16Colombia in Cali from 25-31 October 🌳 This year’s conference will be pivotal, as the focus is on agreeing on a concrete plan for meeting the targets for protecting nature agreed on last year at COP15. Countries are expected to submit updates to their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), which spell out how each country will reach the targets. 🌱 COP16 also poses an invaluable opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to come together to ensure the future #sustainability of the agri-food sector - a sector which is unique in being highly dependent on #nature whilst also exerting significant pressure on ecosystems.   FAIRR will be representing the investor voice and will be engaging in discussions on a number of key #ESG themes, including: 🚜 Repurposing harmful agriculture subsidies: the majority of these are price-distorting and environmentally harmful, causing damage to nature estimated at US $4-6 trillion per year. 🌲 The importance of making nature-related disclosures mandatory, as climate-related disclosures already are in 103 jurisdictions.  💧 Calling for better supply chain traceability within the #BlueEconomy. 3 billion people rely on blue foods for their animal protein intake, yet 90% of fish stocks are already overfished or maximally exploited.    To learn more, read FAIRR’s insight on why #COP16 is important for investors:  https://lnkd.in/eDarPWiA     The team attending will be Claire Berson, Executive Director, Helena Wright Ph.D., Policy Director , Sajeev Mohankumar. PhD, Senior Technical Specialist, Max Boucher, CFA, Senior Manager, Biodiversity, Sofía De La Parra, Investor Outreach Manager, and Greta Davison, Senior Policy Officer.   If you’ll also be attending, come and say hello! 👋

We are pleased to welcome our newest investor members in the last month! The FAIRR Initiative continues to work with its members to raise awareness of the most material #ESG risks and opportunities in the global #food sector. A full list of our members can be found on our website at: https://bit.ly/3SGCKGH Loomis, Sayles & Company, Trinetra Investment Management LLP, Summa Equity

📽️ Hear FAIRR’s key takeaways from the final day of #PRIinPerson! Max Boucher, CFA, Senior Manager, Biodiversity & Oceans at FAIRR, shares his reflections: 🔹 Many investor initiatives aimed at sustainability have been successful over the past few years, with Mark Carney highlighting that 8,600 companies now have climate transition plans. 🔹 Investors can address systemic risk through policy - for example by challenging harmful agricultural subsidies - as well as corporate engagement. 🔹 Asset owners must be crystal clear on what they expect from asset managers in order to fulfil their fiduciary duty. Building on these important conversations, we now look forward to #COP16Colombia in Cali, where we will continue to explore actionable strategies for integrating finance and biodiversity for a nature positive future 🌎 To learn more, watch the video below 👇

NEW INSIGHT: Why ‘forever chemicals’ are a danger to people, planet, and portfolios through food and agriculture 🧪 Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, are often used in pesticides and fertilisers. However, there is growing scientific evidence that they present a significant threat to human health, as well as environmental issues including soil #pollution and livestock deaths. Investors with holdings in PFAS producers are also exposed to several material risks, including reduced profits from litigation. Over the last 25 years, almost 10,000 lawsuits have been filed in the US claiming damages from PFAS exposure. This figure is only expected to increase. María Montosa, Senior ESG Analyst at FAIRR, explains that to mitigate the use of PFAS, investors must engage with chemical companies to find safer alternatives, or with policymakers to implement stricter regulations. Read the full insight below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/edEhGzyz

🌍 Highlights from day two of #PRIinPerson 🌍 Simi Thambi, PhD, Climate Economist at FAIRR, shares her key takeaways: ➡️ Investors are increasingly focused on integrating ESG reporting with  financial reporting and analysis ➡️ Adaptation and resilience are rising up on investors’ agendas ➡️ Opinions on carbon pricing remain mixed, with debate on whether pollution should come with a cost 📽️ Watch the video below for more insights! Plus, tune in to hear from FAIRR's Investor Outreach Manager, Sofía De La Parra, as she discusses two insightful sessions on decarbonisation strategies in emerging markets and the role of investor-corporate engagement.

Hear Sofía Condés, Director of Investor Outreach, share FAIRR’s top three takeaways from day one of #PRIinPerson 👇 As day two gets underway, the FAIRR team is excited to continue engaging with key stakeholders in the #SustainableInvesting space and to connect with many of our 400+ investor members attending the conference. Together, we are driving meaningful discussions that will shape the future of sustainability in the global food sector.