Rabobank responds to new UN climate report

On Thursday, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their Special Report on Climate Change and Land. Included in the extensive report are findings and recommendations about the impact of agriculture, forestry, and other land use on climate change. Sustainable land use and food security are top of mind for Rabobank as a key financier of the global food and agricultural sector.

“Sustainability is the order of the day for most global industries, but for food and agriculture it’s particularly pertinent. We welcome the UN’s research into what is one of the most pressing issues of our time, but it’s going to take action from all stakeholders to drive real change,” said Berry Marttin, managing board member at Rabobank.

“It’s essential the entire food ecosystem works together to implement meaningful changes that will reduce our emissions outputs on a far larger scale. On the supply side, we’re seeing a clear group of frontrunners emerging, who are taking significant measures to cut food loss in the production process, for example. And on the demand side, we can see more and more people actively altering their consumption habits to ensure they are eating more sustainably.

“We can have the greatest impact when we join forces and invest in each other. Through our knowledge, networks and finance, Rabobank is supporting our farmers and international businesses to make agriculture and the food supply more sustainable sooner. Through our innovation platforms, such as FoodBytes! and TERRA, we hope to facilitate those solutions and products that will help address the world’s food challenges. And through our partnerships with UN Environment and the World Wildlife Fund we’re helping today’s farmers access the knowledge and financing they need to get their businesses ready for tomorrow.

“The key thing for individuals and businesses to remember is that climate change isn’t ‘somebody else’s problem’. We all have a responsibility to consider how we can reduce our impact on the environment. For some that will mean changing their diets but even relatively modest steps like reducing food waste or eating high-quality, sustainably produced food can make a big impact when replicated across the world.

“The clock is ticking for all of us to ensure the global food supply chain is sustainable to secure our planet’s future. Action and accountability are needed across the board.”