SUSTAINABILITY
50
I s global agriculture fit for the future ? According to the World Economic Forum , by 2050 the global demand for food will be 60 % greater than today . The United Nations ( UN ), as part of its Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ), has earmarked ending world hunger and achieving food security as key priorities .
There are further significant , and interconnected risks and impacts that the agricultural sector also faces . According to Simon Davis , Principal Sustainable Agrifood Consultant at global sustainability consultancy Anthesis : “ 65 % of poor working adults make a living in the industry ; it has been estimatedto be responsible for 25 % of global GHG ( greenhouse gas ) emissions and 70 % of total water use ; there ’ s been a 60 % biodiversity decline in the last 40 years ; one third of all food produced is wasted and 46 % of trees have been felled since humans started cutting down our forests , in large part to make way for agriculture .”
The sector also faces considerable pressure in terms of its transparency , largely driven by shifting consumer preferences for responsibly sourced and environmentally-friendly goods . The UK , for example , has seen shoppers transition away from typical agricultural commodities towards ‘ free-from ’ or alternative options that combine health , sustainability and quality .
AUGUST 2019