Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management’s Post

Did you know that there are hidden costs associated with every food you eat? These hidden costs factor GHG emissions, land use conversion, nitrogen emissions, poverty, and unhealthy diets. I will briefly categorize these costs into: 1.    Environmental hidden costs: Think of land use conversion and nitrogen emissions. Agriculture's footprint extends beyond the farm, it impacts ecosystems and climate. 2.    Social hidden costs: From undernourishment to poverty, the food system's inequities affect communities worldwide. It's not just about what's on our plates but who gets left behind. 3.    Health hidden costs: These hidden costs affect the well-being of current and future generations. They are often borne by those who do not benefit from the economic activities responsible for those same costs. Some fear that addressing these hidden costs will further raise the price of food. But here's the twist: Addressing these hidden costs could reshape our food landscape. While prices of certain items may rise, investing in sustainable, whole foods could drive down costs in the long run. What are your thoughts? #FoodSystems #Sustainability #HealthAndWellness

The global agrifood system sustain our lives but currently carry significant hidden health, socio-economic and environmental costs due to inefficiencies such as diet-related diseases, resource depletion, food waste, labour inequalities etc. The FAO’s recently published report, "State of Food & Agriculture 2024" estimates these hidden costs at $11 trillion, with health impacts accounting for 70% ($7.7 trillion), highlighting the urgent need for global agrifood system transformation. Key transformation levers will include: ✅ Policy reforms aligning subsidies and taxes ✅ Technological innovation for sustainability ✅ Consumer education and empowerment ✅ Inclusive stakeholder collaboration ✅ ESG-aligned investments #AgrifoodSystems #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #Innovation #Action

Our agrifood systems provide immense value, feeding billions, supporting livelihoods and driving economies, all around the world. Yet they also generate more than 10 trillion dollars in hidden costs every year. These costs reflect damage to the environment, growing social inequalities and the consequences of unhealthy diets. The challenges differ, while some countries suffer from severe environmental damage, others struggle with poverty and hunger. But globally diets lacking in whole grains and fruits and high salt are the leading contributors to health hidden costs. So what can be done? To secure a better future, we need sustainable practices, decent incomes and healthier food choices that fit to local realities. FAO,s 2024 State of Food and Agriculture report shows how governments, business and individuals have all roles to play. Through collaboration. we can align policies, business actions and dietary patterns with urgent need of change. Each one of us can help reshape agrifood systems so that they can nourish both people and the planet. #FAO #AgriFoodSystems #SustainableAgriculture #Biodiversity

𝐖𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬! Yesterday was #WorldFoodDay - a day to remember that food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝'𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐞𝐭, 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬. Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world due to repeated weather shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and political instability. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧. 𝐈𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫! My mind boggles at these numbers. Growing up, I was always taught to take only as much as I need and never waste food. These numbers highlight the significant environmental impact of food waste, and it is clear that for food systems to be sustainable, we need to address food loss and waste. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭. For us at dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health, 'Reducing Food Loss and Waste' is one of our business drivers and we support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which aims to reduce food loss & waste by 50% by 2030. Learn more about how we are making this possible with our products, solutions and services -> https://lnkd.in/gJcY6BHb #SDG #Sustainability

🌍 The environmental, social and health hidden costs of agrifood systems vary globally. #SOFA2024 reveals these hidden costs by agrifood systems type using #TrueCostAccounting, with those in protracted crises bearing the highest burden relative to their GDP. Targeted, context-specific strategies are key to tackling these challenges and driving transformative change.

Between 691 and 738 million people globally were affected by hunger in 2022, yet almost 3 billion are living with obesity or are overweight*. Following Greenbank’s recent report 'Sustainable food systems and systemic risks', stewardship and engagement lead Sophie Lawrence explains why the Investor Coalition on Food Policy exists, why investors should focus on sustainable food systems, and the role the Coalition plays to promote health and resilience. Watch more or read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gK2chE6n *Sources: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2023. World Obesity Federation, 2023. #sustainableinvestment #stewardship #sustainablefoodsystems #foodpolicy #foodsystems #health

Chapter #9 of the 2023 ATOR: Gender and Food Systems: Avenues for Transformation? Population growth and rapid urbanization, the growing risks of climate change, and persistent problems of malnutrition all mean that rural and urban African agrifood systems need to transform both substantially and rapidly to achieve the goals of sustainable, equitable, and healthy food systems – 2023 ATOR Chapter #9! More👉https://rb.gy/w04ubr

What if the key to solving global health crises, food insecurity, and climate change was as simple as a grain? Health Transformation With millets as our staple, the world experiences a health renaissance. Rich in fiber, protein, and vital nutrients, millets combat obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases. Nutritious, balanced meals become the global standard, empowering people to lead healthier lives. A Greener Tomorrow Millets thrive where others fail—drought-prone areas, low water conditions, and poor soil. By reducing reliance on water-hungry crops like rice and wheat, we slash our carbon footprint, preserve ecosystems, and secure food for future generations. Cultural Revival From India’s ragi dosa to Africa’s sorghum porridge, millet-based dishes reclaim their glory. Culinary traditions once overshadowed by modern grains return to the spotlight, celebrated in homes, festivals, and global kitchens. This shift reconnects us with our roots while inspiring innovative recipes for the modern palate. Economic Empowerment Millet farming revitalizes rural economies, especially in drought-hit regions. Farmers gain resilience, communities prosper, and a fairer, more sustainable agricultural system emerges—one that champions local farmers and biodiversity. The Millet Movement Starts Now This isn’t just about food; it’s about forging a future where humanity thrives in harmony with nature. By embracing millets, we choose health over convenience, sustainability over exploitation, and tradition over monotony. The future is deliciously nutritious. The future is millet. Are we ready to nourish ourselves and the planet? Let’s make this happen #MilletsForChange #SustainableFuture #HealthAndPlanet #CulinaryHeritage #FutureOfFood

Do you know that growing global population poses a big challenge in terms of providing food and nutrition to all. The key points regarding food systems, hunger, and poverty for global change are as follows: 1. **Global Challenge:** A growing global population poses challenges in providing food and nutrition to all, leading to rising food insecurity and poverty.    2. **Current Challenges:** Factors such as food scarcity, climate shocks, high prices, intensive agriculture, resource exploitation, and conflicts significantly impact nutritional sustenance worldwide.    3. **United Nations Focus:** Eight of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concentrate on food-related sustainability due to serious hunger levels in 43 countries.    4. **Sustainable Food Systems:** The goal is to create a system that guarantees food security, nutrition for all, economic profitability, societal benefits, and environmental sustainability with a neutral or positive impact.    5. **Challenges Ahead:** Population growth, urbanization, changing consumption patterns, and climate changes strain current food systems, requiring a significant overhaul to ensure sustainability.    6. **Youth Engagement:** Involving youth in transforming food systems can enhance nutrition, fortify resilience against challenges, and offer employment opportunities, supporting long-term sustainability.    7. **Call for Action:** Urgent coordinated actions and policy solutions are needed to address inequalities, transform food systems, invest in sustainable agriculture, and mitigate global nutrition and food security impacts.    8. **Sustainable Contribution:** Individuals can contribute by voting for climate action, reducing carbon footprints, supporting environmental organizations, embracing sustainable habits, vocalizing about climate issues, and standing with climate activists to create a global movement towards a sustainable future. By addressing the underlying causes of hunger and poverty and adopting comprehensive approaches to food security, we can work towards a future where nobody goes hungry, and where food systems support both people and the planet.  Are you passionate about climate change and sustainability? Discover your potential and make a difference today. Join community group : https://lnkd.in/dWiqZxja #climatechange #foodsecurity #arewedoingenoughtosaveourplanet

I am gobsmacked by the concerted push back against a kinder habit we can all adapt, which it changing how we eat for people, planet and animals. I imagine the amount of money the meat and dairy industries must be pouring into the system right now to counteract the rise in plant-based lyfestyles and vegan ethics. Check out that headline vs what the paper says: "Unprocessed plant-based foods such as peas, soybeans, and beans performed best in our assessment across all domains. In comparison, processed plant-based products such as veggie burgers, traditional meat replacements such as tempeh, and plant milks were associated with less climate benefits and greater costs than unprocessed foods but still offered substantial environmental, health, and nutritional benefits compared to animal products." Definitely this is the era of "post-truth".