Theory of change:
In general, the barriers identified reflect well the current situation and challenges. According to our experience, one additional barrier is the lack of awareness of consumers in developed countries and emerging markets. Even if the purchasing power is middle or high, low prices are the most important driver for decision making. This is enhanced by marketing /promotion of the food companies: images of products from a intact world and happy animals - for the lowest price. Only about 10 % of consumers are not only confirming to be willing to pay more - but also paying a fair price. This is not enough. Legislation on verification of "green claims" and legislation against price dumping below production costs is needed to change the perception and the real behaviour of consumers.
Role of stakeholders:
Governments need to implement and monitor legislation leading to increase the price of unsustainable produced products and to an equal playing field to make sustainable produced products competitive and unsustainable products unprofitable, e.g. via taxes.
Governments in cooperation with food business associations should develop credible information sources, e.g. databases with primary data on sustainability aspects in the most important sourcing regions, e.g. risks of de-forestation, degradation of other ecosystems, situation of water sources etc. These information sources should be available for all companies of the food sector.
Governments should include sound sustainability criteria in their agreements on biotic raw material with other states. Governments at all levels should consequently implement Sustainable Public Produrement Rules.
Companies of the food sector need to consider biodiversity and climate protection as quality elements of agricultural production /products and request both in their supply rules. Food standards should have sound criteria on biodiversity and climate mitigation. Companies should have attractive incentives for farmers which go beyong legislation in sustainability aspects - especially for smallholder farmers: incentives covering additional costs for sound ecological and social standards and recognizing the added value of products.
Food companies need also to support awareness raising and education of consumers. Currently they are suggesting to consumers that products come from an intact world with happy farmers and for a low price. And consumers are egoistic and happy to believe these messages.
Standards and food companies should be obliged to realize monitoring of sustainability aspects of certified farms /producers in the supply chains using harmonized monitorig approaches. Results should be published and companies failing to proof continuous improvements should have disadvantages.
Governments, standards and companies should agree on an international agreed definition and framework for regenerative agriculture to make sure that regenerative agriculture will not be used as un unfair competition against sustainable forms of agriculture (e.g. agroecology, organic agriculture).
Draft Results Framework
Examples of types of intervention and outputs:
Project "Del Campo al Plato" to improve biodiversity protection in the production of banana and of pineapple. The Biodiversity Check Agrícola was elaborated and implemented (currently arround 150 plantations) in order to determine the current situation on the plantation, identify need and potential for improvement and recommend measures for continuos improvements. These components are an important input for sound biodiversity action plans for the plantations. Biodiversity Check Agrícola Convoy is adapted to small holder cooperatives to elaborate a Biodiversity Action Plan on landscape level.The tool proofed to improve considerably biodiversity protection on banana and on pineapple plantations and can be adapted to other products and other tropical regions. The BCA was developed by GNF and GIZ Germany. https://www.delcampoalplato.com/en/home-engl/
A similar tool based on the Biodiversity Performance Tool was developed for coffee production in South America = Biodiversity Performance Tool Café. The content and process is the same: Baseline description and evaluation, proposals for measures, Biodiversity Action Plan and monitoring of implementation of the BAP. The BPT Convoy is applied to cooperatives of smallholder coffee producers. The BPT Café was developed by GNF, Fundación Humedales, Rainforest Alliance and 4C Coffee Standard. Currently it is also applied by smallholder cooperatives in Vietnam.
GNF supported the development of the Global G.A.P. Biodiversity Add-on Standard which is currently to most advanced standard regarding biodiversity protection. Currently the standard is only applicable for vegetable and fruit producers in Europe, but Global G.A.P. plans to extend the standard to all commodities and all regions.
Successful examples of public-private partnerships for food systems transformation
The project Del Campo al Plato includes various successful examples of public private partnerships between German Development Agency GIZ and pineapple producers (e.g. Nicofruta) and banana producers (Banelino, Dole). Main objective of the partnerships is the improvement of biodiversity management and protection and full integration into the management practises of the producers.
Research gaps or innovations on food systems transformation for global environmental and climate benefits
Information sources /primary data on environmental aspects - specially biodiversity - in the sourcing regions is missing and needed for food companies to take appropriate decisions regarding their supply chains. This information sources are of special importance for SMEs in the food sector which do not have the resources for own studies etc. The database on sourcing regions should also include more sustainable alternatives to source agricultural goods.
Furthermore, a harmonized biodiversity monitoring framework for the food sector would be needed - as credible basis for reporting duties and to allow comparision of supply chains and companies.
Ms. Marion Hammerl