Ahead of the Curve: A preparatory guide on nature for the agri-food sector

The integration of nature-related risks and opportunities into the strategic planning of companies is increasingly essential, especially in sectors on the front line of action in favor of nature such as agri-food. This short guide outlines a structured approach for companies in this sector to understand and effectively engage with the nature agenda. It highlights the economic dependencies on nature and the consequent risks and opportunities presented by nature loss, driven by human activity. Governments, citizens and financial institutions are stepping up their focus on environmental preservation through regulations, policies and voluntary initiatives targeting businesses, underscoring the urgency of action.

To help businesses understand emerging trends, frameworks and reporting requirements – and how they can respond to them by taking some decisive first steps towards positive action on nature – the report is divided into four main chapters:

• Why the Nature Agenda is Shaping Business Strategies examines the need to pay special attention to the agri-food sector as one of the industries most dependent on healthy natural systems.
• The agriculture-nature nexus deepens the structure of agricultural value chains and the challenges posed by existing structures for greater action in favour of nature.
• What this means for businesses: How to prepare focuses on the nature-related objectives of the TNFD and the SBTN, two of the most prominent assessment and disclosure frameworks.
• Key Success Factors for Being Nature-Friendly examines the three areas identified as critical to addressing nature-related issues in agri-food companies:
  • Get the right facts about nature.
  • Engagement with key stakeholders across the value chain.
  • Integrate action for nature into a broader holistic strategy.

Collaboration with Asda and four of its major suppliers has provided business insights into some of the real-world challenges facing the sector to better understand and act on nature-related risks and opportunities. For organisations in the agri-food value chain, this report draws on these insights and a wider body of work to outline key considerations and concrete first steps that can be taken to accelerate the transition to nature-positive.