Concerns intensify over animal-based food producers’ impact on environment
The spotlight on agriculture impact on the environment has intensified amid fears over livestock cultivation. Food agricultural production accounts for about a quarter of all global emissions, with two-thirds of that coming from the livestock sector.
EMIKO TERAZONO: ‘Over the past four to five years, the spotlight on agriculture and food industries’ impact on the environment has intensified amid fears over the prospect of population growth and food demand driving crop and livestock cultivation… Food and agricultural production accounts for about a quarter of all global emissions, with two-thirds of that coming from the livestock sector, according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization…
“You can see there is a path to greatly reduce emissions in energy and transport and all of a sudden agriculture emissions look big. Of the agricultural total, livestock is the big factor,” said Channing Arndt, director of environment at the International Food Policy Research Institute, a developmental think-tank… Amid that backdrop, leading institutional investors are raising their concerns about the risks of investing in the food and agricultural sectors…
It is hardly a surprise that the popularity of meat alternatives has caught the attention of the leading fast food company. An increasing number of large food and agricultural companies have been investing in alternative protein groups.. The world’s biggest purchaser of beef is watching the plant-based meat market. “Plant-based protein is something we’re keeping an eye on as we start to think about the opportunities there and growth in that space,” Lucy Brady, McDonald’s senior vice-president of corporate strategy, told a women’s conference in California…
While there are no overarching climate policy initiatives guiding agriculture and food companies, the sectors are likely to come under increasing pressure by consumers, investors and policymakers over the next few years, say analysts. IFPRI’s Mr Arndt said as calls for a policy framework for agricultural and food production increase, companies should be involved in the debate. “There’s a big challenge coming up over the next decade [for agricultural companies]. Corporations should be ready for that. They need to be at the table”.’ SOURCE…
RELATED VIDEO: