Agriculture & Food Processing
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 31 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the food and agriculture industry. With eight billion mouths to feed and growing, the most labour intensive, and operating in the most diverse socioeconomic conditions, this industry is indeed a focus for governments and regulators as the world pushes toward sustainability and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Exasperating the already difficult, diverse, and complex conditions under which this sector operates there is great disparity in the predisposition to adapt new and improved technology. Further, global economic improvements are creating greater demands for safe, nutritious and affordable food which forces producers and distributors to think outside the box, especially in developing nations. To safeguard the quality, safety and nutritional value of products, while simultaneously improving the conditions of human capital and protecting the environment, this sector is rapidly adapting to the principles and procedures of ESG framework.
Soptics AI was built to guide and evaluate progress of ESG adaptation while companies focus on feeding the world safely and on a timely manner.
Environmental
- Being the industry with the largest geographic footprint, opportunities for ecological sustainability is inexhaustible. Below are a few:
- Soil Conservation through soil management and land restoration.
- Water conservation and management through safeguarding from pesticide and fertilizer contamination, equitable distribution, and efficient utilization.
- Prevention and preservation of habitats through efficient land use, intensive production systems and improved genetic stock for higher yields.
Social
- Satisfied and empowered employees work smarter, are more innovative, gives higher outputs and remains longer with their employees. It is therefore critical for employers to examine their operations for the presence of child labour, unfair payment regimes, poor health and safety standards and discrimination in any way or form.
- How the operation manages its impact on society is a critical condition of ESG as well.
Governance
- Compliance with local, governmental, and international laws, regulations customs and practices.
- Policies and initiatives that initiates and encourages accountability, open and fairness in its operations.
- Presence or absence of ESG framework, Health and safety policies etc.
- Policies on Safe use of pesticides, antibiotics, steroids etc in their operations.
