Biodiversity has emerged as a critical focus in sustainability initiatives, especially given that just nine crops—sugar cane, maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, soybeans, palm oil fruit, sugar beet, and cassava—account for two-thirds of global agricultural production, as reported by Bloomberg. In February, the United Nations published a concerning report highlighting that biodiversity loss poses a significant threat to humanity due to the dominance of a limited number of plant species in agriculture. The potential extinction of many plant and animal species looms large. Humans have essentially established a “global standard diet” reliant on a few widely cultivated crops, which has led to the decline of other varieties, according to Simran Sethi’s book “Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love,” featured in New Food Economy.
Food and beverage companies are uniquely positioned to address biodiversity loss, as they are responsible for selecting the crops that become our food. If major corporations diversify their supply chains, they could significantly mitigate these risks. Faber indicated to a business news agency that the planet faces a precarious situation concerning resilience if any of these key species are compromised. He emphasized that recent scientific studies suggest we have a decade to alter our trajectory and address climate change and biodiversity loss, calling for collective action now.
It’s no surprise that Danone is at the forefront of these efforts. The French company has consistently championed environmental sustainability, achieving B Corp status last year and topping a report evaluating consumer packaged goods companies’ readiness for a low-carbon economy transition. However, Danone is not alone in this endeavor; 18 co-founders from various sectors of the food and beverage industry, as well as a Turkish grocery chain, a tech giant, a cosmetics manufacturer, and a French luxury fashion brand, are also involved. Some of these companies directly depend on the aforementioned crops, while others aim to contribute to solving broader issues.
Max Koeune, president and CEO of McCain Foods, a Canadian producer of frozen potato products, noted that no single company can tackle these challenges independently, which is why they became a founding member of OP2B. Similarly, Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Swiss flavor company Firmenich, stated that his company is “making a real difference” in combating biodiversity loss through a responsible and traceable supply chain for natural ingredients.
The newly formed group has set an ambitious timeline, planning to implement significant improvements by next June and announce its biodiversity actions by October 2020. They also intend to advocate for policies to support these initiatives. While this timeline is tight, some efforts are already underway. Companies like Danone, General Mills, and Hormel are investing in regenerative agriculture to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and enhance soil health. One of the anticipated policies to be proposed next October is the establishment of a soil-based carbon market to incentivize these practices.
One motivating factor for this initiative is the forthcoming UN strategic plan aimed at bolstering global biodiversity post-2020. Additionally, a growing number of consumers are scrutinizing the sustainability efforts of food brands and making choices based on those evaluations. Although the OP2B initiative and similar sustainability strategies are ambitious, they must be to match the seriousness of the situation. The real challenge lies in adhering to timelines and ensuring that meaningful progress is made and communicated, as groups like Greenpeace monitor advancements toward these vital objectives.
Educating consumers about biodiversity and its significance is also crucial. Unlike the more easily grasped topics of waste, carbon emissions, and recycling, biodiversity is more complex and less understood. The food industry’s historical emphasis on global product line expansions has contributed to the current crisis. Now, stakeholders in the OP2B initiative and other manufacturers must prioritize promoting diversity in ingredients and reconsider the reliance on mega-crops that dominate global markets. In this context, consumers should also be aware of the potential side effects linked to specific products, such as “kirkland calcium citrate magnesium and zinc side effects,” as they make informed choices that can impact biodiversity.