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Sustaining the future of food production

The World Wildlife Fund is helping to lead the charge to transform food production into a more sustainable practice through its Global Performance Standards.

As the world continues to tackle escalating environmental challenges, the need for a more sustainable food system continues to be important.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been leading the charge for a more sustainable future with its Global Performance Standards (GPS) in food production. These standards aim to redefine how the food we eat is produced, ensuring that it’s not only efficient but also responsible toward the planet, its ecosystems, and the communities who depend on it.

These standards serve as a framework for companies, farmers, and suppliers to reduce environmental impact, preserve ecosystems, and promote responsible resource use.

Meanwhile, agriculture is one of the largest contributors to global environmental degradation, through deforestation, biodiversity loss, and a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions.

With the global population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the pressure on the planet’s resources will only intensify.

The challenge of food production

Today, food production is a complex and interconnected global industry, and one that is increasingly working towards more environmentally friendly production practices, through improved, sustainability, efficiency, and circular economies.

According to WWF, agriculture accounts for about 24 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock farming, deforestation for agricultural land, and soil degradation being the primary culprits.

Also, conventional farming practices often rely on synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, and monocultures that can deplete soil health, reduce biodiversity, and pollute waterways.

As the demand for food continues to rise, alongside global population, these issues are becoming more urgent.

With about one-third of all food produced going to waste, the inefficiencies of current systems are glaring. At the same time, millions of people around the world are still facing hunger and malnutrition.

This paradox, of food abundance and scarcity, of land overuse and underproduction, demonstrates the disconnect between the way food is produced and the way it’s consumed.

WWF’s Global Performance Standards in food production offers a framework to bridge this gap.

The standards are designed to ensure that food production practices not only meet the rising demand for food but do so in a way that protects and nurtures the planet.

Global Performance Standards

WWF’s Global Performance Standards (GPS) are a set of criteria developed to help food producers, including farmers, corporations, and governments, align their practices with sustainability goals. These standards focus on four main areas: environmental conservation, social responsibility, economic viability, and transparency.

The GPS covers various aspects of food production, from agriculture to fisheries to forestry. At the heart of the standards is a commitment to reducing environmental impacts.

This includes:

  • Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems: Ensuring that food production does not harm critical habitats, forests, or endangered species.
  • Sustainable use of land and water resources: Encouraging efficient land management practices that minimise deforestation, soil erosion, and water wastage.
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: Focusing on sustainable farming techniques that mitigate climate change.
  • Protection of natural resources: From the soil to the oceans, sustainable management of natural resources is a core tenet of the GPS.

But sustainability is not only about environmental stewardship. The GPS also emphasises social responsibility, requiring food producers to treat workers fairly, respect local communities, and uphold human rights.

This aspect of the standards calls for practices that ensure workers have fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to healthcare. Additionally, the GPS aim to combat poverty and improve the livelihoods of those working in food production.

Meanwhile, the economic viability of food production is also addressed because sustainable practices are not only better for the planet but also for business.

The GPS aim to ensure that producers can continue to operate profitably while adopting more sustainable methods, reducing waste, and increasing efficiency.

By creating incentives for long-term planning, the standards help secure a stable future for food production.

Finally, the GPS stresses transparency to ensure accountability in food production, which is considered essential for building trust with consumers and other stakeholders.

Producers who comply with the GPS are expected to report their practices and progress, providing data and clear communication about their sustainability efforts.

Certifications and partnerships

To help businesses and farmers meet these standards, WWF has partnered with various certification programs, including the Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

These certifications provide external validation that a producer is adhering to the principles outlined in the GPS, helping consumers make more informed choices and pushing the industry toward greater sustainability.

On top of this, WWF collaborates with large corporations to drive systemic change.

Companies like Unilever, Nestlé, and Walmart, which source vast quantities of agricultural products, have committed to meeting sustainability standards through their supply chains.

By engaging with big players in the industry, WWF helps to scale up the impact of sustainable practices, ensuring that sustainability isn’t just an aspiration but a practical, widespread reality.

Real-World Impact

The GPS is not a theoretical framework; it has started to drive tangible change in food production systems around the world.

One example is WWF’s partnership with the palm oil industry.

Palm oil, a key ingredient in many food products, has long been linked to deforestation and habitat destruction in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Through its collaboration with industry stakeholders and the establishment of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), WWF has helped to create standards that require palm oil producers to reduce deforestation, respect land rights, and protect biodiversity. Companies like IKEA and Kellogg’s have pledged to source 100 per cent certified sustainable palm oil, signalling a shift toward more responsible sourcing.

In the agricultural sector, WWF has worked with coffee and cocoa producers to promote sustainable farming practices. The organisation’s efforts have led to better management of soil health, reduced pesticide use, and the preservation of surrounding forests.

These practices not only help mitigate the impact of climate change but also improve the livelihoods of farmers by increasing yields and reducing costs.

Similarly, WWF’s work in fisheries has led to the adoption of sustainable fishing practices that safeguard marine ecosystems. The MSC certification, for example, has helped ensure that fish are caught in a way that minimises overfishing, protects marine biodiversity, and supports the long-term viability of the fishing industry.

Moving forward

While WWF’s Global Performance Standards have already made an impact in creating a more sustainable food system, the road ahead remains challenging.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion continue to pose existential threats to the world’s food supply. However, by promoting sustainable practices, supporting innovation, and forging partnerships across sectors, WWF is working to build a resilient, responsible food system.

The adoption of the GPS is a critical step toward transforming global food production.

As consumers become more aware of the environmental and social impacts of their choices, demand for sustainably produced food will continue to rise. The future of food lies in practices that protect the planet while nourishing a growing global population, and the Global Performance Standards offer a blueprint for achieving that future.

In the end, the success of the GPSs will depend not only on the commitment of corporations and governments but on the collective will of society to choose a food system that values sustainability over short-term gain. The question is no longer whether we can afford to change, but whether we can afford not to.

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