Delivering Transparency and Transformational Change in Food Systems

At COP26 there was a clear call from global youth activists that the time for talk was over, and those with power must urgently take action, or be held accountable.

The G7 SSCI launched shortly afterwards and includes 22 global food and agriculture companies that have pledged to improve the environmental, nutritional and social impacts of their operations and supply chains. Much like the ambition of COP27, this pledge helps move the food sector to center stage of the Climate Agenda, encouraging a systems approach that addresses cross-cutting issues around emissions, soil health, biodiversity, food loss and waste, nutrition, and more.

Core to the initiative is greater transparency and accountability in the food sector, delivered through the use of WBA’s Food and Agriculture Benchmark. The Benchmark tracks company performance and publishes data on whether companies are making good on their pledge. A year on and the first results are in. Whilst companies have made progress, particularly around target setting for Scope 1,2 & 3 emissions, ambitions must be raised.

Coordinated action by policymakers and the private sector can deliver change at scale. As part of the G7 SSCI, G7 governments and pledged companies collaborate in support of systemic change in agricultural supply chains.

This session will provide insight into how the 22 companies are progressing, specifically on the climate agenda and on social topics that relate to youth employment.  The fireside chat will host company, government and youth voices to discuss how to drive further action, ensure the Climate Agenda is front and centre of private sector strategies, and how to ensure food systems are fit for future generations.

The G7 SSCI is led by the German Government, under the G7 Presidency, OECD secretariat and World Benchmarking Alliance.