How to embed regen principles into global supply-chains was the question posed in one of the talks at this year’s Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival.
There was a big audience, all keen to understand how the panel is approaching this issue. Here’s what the team learnt…
Consumers care about the environment, and they want brands and retailers to take action for nature and climate.
M&S’s Elizabeth Stockdale talked about how much M&S consumers care and have high expectations of M&S as a retailer and of M&S products.
She talked about the challenge and opportunity of bringing business sustainability strategy to life in a tangible and meaningful way for shoppers.
She cited the example of how WildFarmed bread is doing just that. Shoppers are able to connect a tasty, high-quality product with better soil and environmental impact.
Brands have a role to play in driving consumer preference for ‘regen’ products
Dorothy Shaver from Unilever talked about how their goal of connecting high quality ingredients to the way in which they are grown is key. Their strategy is to tell stories that engage and excite, leading to consumers asking and wanting more of these products.
Dorothy went on to talk about Unilever’s aim for a movement of shoppers asking for products grown in a way that is good for the environment and nature, where other businesses follow and create broader change.
More voices are calling for action on nature
At the RSPB, this is something we have been calling for years. It’s clear from this year’s Groundswell festival that the voices from across the food supply-chain understand the need to take action and are starting to do so.
For significant biodiversity gains to be part of regenerative farming, good quality habitats for nature are key and must be integrated into the regen principles.
The RSPB’s science shows that by creating space for nature through a range of high-quality habitats, it’s possible to restore nature.
RSPB Fair to Nature is the only UK certification scheme with a focus on biodiversity and reversing nature loss. Run by the RSPB, the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, and based on sound scientific evidence, it is designed to deliver demonstrable biodiversity benefits on certified farms and provide food businesses with the means to act on wildlife declines.
Please get in touch to discuss how we can support restoring nature within your supply-chain.
Image credits: ‘Field Mouse in wheat’ and ‘Brown Hare running along track’ – rspb-images.com; Groundswell sign – Shelley Eden/RSPB