The food industry is facing a growing list of climate-related challenges. Extreme weather events, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and shifting growing conditions are placing pressure on agricultural production systems around the world.
At the same time, food and beverage manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions and build more resilient supply chains.
To explore how the sector is responding, FoodNavigator and AgNavigator, both part of William Reed, are bringing together leading food manufacturers, agribusinesses, researchers and sustainability experts for the latest edition of the Climate Smart Food Broadcast Series.
The free, webinar-based event will take place across two days in September, examining the strategies, technologies and partnerships helping businesses address climate risks while securing future supplies of key ingredients.
Day one: Sourcing tomorrow’s ingredients
The first day, taking place on September 15, will focus on one of the industry’s most pressing questions: how can food manufacturers secure sustainable supplies of critical ingredients in an increasingly unpredictable climate?
Among the major themes under discussion will be the growing challenges facing both the cocoa and coffee sectors.
Environmental researchers warn that more than two-thirds of EU cocoa and coffee imports originate from countries highly vulnerable to climate disruption and biodiversity loss. Combined with increasingly severe weather events, changing rainfall patterns and El Niño-related disruptions, the long-term outlook for many traditional sourcing regions remains uncertain.
Sessions will explore how businesses are adapting sourcing strategies, supporting growers and investing in more resilient production systems to help safeguard future ingredient supplies.
Day two: How manufacturers are climate-proofing their businesses
The second day, on September 22, will shift the focus to food and beverage manufacturers and the practical steps being taken to reduce climate risk across operations and supply chains.
Industry leaders including Nestlé, Danone and Mondelez will feature in discussions examining how companies are approaching emissions reduction, sustainable sourcing, regenerative agriculture and climate adaptation.
The programme will explore a range of topics including:
- Smart farming and precision agriculture
- Regenerative agriculture
- Water stewardship
- Sustainable ingredient sourcing
- Carbon reduction strategies
- Packaging and circular economy initiatives
- Food system resilience and climate adaptation
AgNavigator editors take centre stage
AgNavigator editors Oliver Morrison and Ryan Daily will highlight how food companies are working more closely with farmers to build resilience on the ground.
Daily speaks with Caitlin Colegrove, Sustainable Agriculture Lead for North America within PepsiCo’s Global Sustainability Office, about how the company is deploying regenerative agricultural practices to support both farm and business resilience.
“The future success of our business is tied to the future success and reliance of farms,” Colegrove explains.
The session examines how PepsiCo is encouraging the adoption of practices such as improved soil management, reduced agrochemical use and more efficient water management, while recognising the financial challenges farmers face when making the transition.
“We want to be part of helping farmers to make these changes cancel out over time and help in this particularly challenging farm economy to support farmers in sticking with these practices over time,” she says.
Meanwhile, Morrison interviews Tilda Managing Director John Philippe Laborde about the company’s rapidly expanding sustainable basmati rice programme in India.
Having grown from an initial trial of 50 farms to almost 4,000 farms covering 15,000 hectares, the programme has demonstrated how climate-smart farming can deliver both environmental and economic benefits. Through the use of alternate wetting and drying irrigation techniques, Tilda has achieved a 45% reduction in methane emissions, reduced fertiliser use by 20% and saved 37 billion litres of water, while participating farmers have reported higher yields and improved profitability.
Register now
The Climate Smart Food Broadcast Series offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from leading food manufacturers, agribusinesses, researchers and sustainability experts about the practical solutions shaping the future of food production.
Attendance is free. To view the full agenda and secure your place, register today here
