Agroamerica is a palm oil and banana producer committed to sustainable practices like precision agriculture, carbon capture, clean energy, and recycling. These practices improve yields while reducing environmental impacts like water and resource usage. However, the market does not always recognize or incentivize these sustainable efforts. All stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and international organizations, must work together to promote sustainability, develop green economies, and ensure sustainable products receive fair prices.
Outcome Statement & Recommendations: Responsible Business Forum On Food and A...Global Initiatives
Feeding a global population of 9 billion by 2050 will require transformational changes to our farming and agricultural systems, already under pressure from climate change and water scarcity. Responsible Business Forum on Food and Agriculture is held in partnership with WWF Philippines on the 14 & 15 July 2014 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, Manila. The forum explores innovative and collaborative approaches to improving agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability across key commodity value chains.
Humanizing the Economy with John Restakis, 5.31.12NFCACoops
John Restakis, executive director of the British Columbia Co-op Association and author of “Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the Age of Capital,” asserts that it is the disconnection between conventional economics and social ends that lies at the heart of our economic crisis, and that co-operatives offer a powerful economic model to reconnect and relate social goals with economic practice.
Outcome Statement and Recommendations: Responsible Business Forum On Food And...Global Initiatives
ASEAN BEYOND 2015: COLLABORATION FOR EQUITABLE GROWTH
Feeding a global population of 9 billion by 2050 will require transformational changes to our farming and agricultural systems, already under pressure from climate change and water scarcity. The Responsible Business Forum on Food and Agriculture explores innovative and collaborative approaches to improving agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability across key commodity value chains.
Global leaders gather from business, government and NGOs to make recommendations for increasing agricultural productivity, whilst improving rural livelihoods and reducing environmental impacts. Agricultural commodities addressed includes – aquaculture, coffee, dairy, maize, rice and tea. Working groups produce recommendations on sustainable land use, equitable opportunity for small-holder farmers, increasing productivity and improving rural livelihoods.
For more details: http://www.responsiblebusiness.com/events/responsible-business-forum-hanoi/
One of my basic 1st 7 SDG's model to connect next 3.4 billion create smart villages. last 25 yrs back visions for humanity, now 100 billionaires controlling next 3.4 billion poverty middle class and to make each village live based on Self Development Goals.
National Strategic Alliance on Sustainable Agriculture Principles GlobalHunt Foundation
GlobalHunt Foundation initiated the National Strategic Alliance on Sustainable Agricultural Principles (SAP). This outcome report showcases the proceedings of the multi stakeholder meeting to discuss and strategize on key issues on pertaining to the alliance. AsaCSRandSustainabilityResearch,ConsultingandAdvisoryorganizationGlobalHuntFoundationthroughtheformulationofStrategicAllianceforSustainableAgricultureendeavorsobringsustainabilityintherealmofagriculture.Thepurposebehindtheallianceistoformulatesustainableprinciplesofagriculturethathelpsindesigningprogrammesacrosspan-Indiatowardstherevivingandsecuringofsustainableindigenousfarmingpractices,launching programmes that will enable upscaling of small and marginal farmers,preservation of indigenous knowledge,skills and enhancing ethical value chain.
It is my great privilege to present the 2013 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities! These 17 activities are shining examples of climate action around the world. They demonstrate what happens when innovation and passion come together to address the biggest challenge of our time.
This year’s activities touch on three focus areas:
Women for Results: recognizing the critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change. This focus area is implemented with the generous support of The Rockefeller Foundation.
Urban Poor: recognizing climate action that improves the lives of impoverished people in urban communities. This focus area is implemented with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Financing for Climate Friendly Investment: recognizing successful and innovative climate-smart activities. This focus area is implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
I am convinced that this year’s Lighthouse Activities will inspire you and help you take practical ideas for action to your communities. Each of us has a role to play in meeting the climate challenge, and sharing success helps raise ambition and scale up the global commitment to act on climate change.
Sincerely,
Christiana Figueres | UNFCCC Executive Secretary
Outcome Statement & Recommendations: Responsible Business Forum On Food and A...Global Initiatives
Feeding a global population of 9 billion by 2050 will require transformational changes to our farming and agricultural systems, already under pressure from climate change and water scarcity. Responsible Business Forum on Food and Agriculture is held in partnership with WWF Philippines on the 14 & 15 July 2014 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, Manila. The forum explores innovative and collaborative approaches to improving agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability across key commodity value chains.
Humanizing the Economy with John Restakis, 5.31.12NFCACoops
John Restakis, executive director of the British Columbia Co-op Association and author of “Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the Age of Capital,” asserts that it is the disconnection between conventional economics and social ends that lies at the heart of our economic crisis, and that co-operatives offer a powerful economic model to reconnect and relate social goals with economic practice.
Outcome Statement and Recommendations: Responsible Business Forum On Food And...Global Initiatives
ASEAN BEYOND 2015: COLLABORATION FOR EQUITABLE GROWTH
Feeding a global population of 9 billion by 2050 will require transformational changes to our farming and agricultural systems, already under pressure from climate change and water scarcity. The Responsible Business Forum on Food and Agriculture explores innovative and collaborative approaches to improving agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability across key commodity value chains.
Global leaders gather from business, government and NGOs to make recommendations for increasing agricultural productivity, whilst improving rural livelihoods and reducing environmental impacts. Agricultural commodities addressed includes – aquaculture, coffee, dairy, maize, rice and tea. Working groups produce recommendations on sustainable land use, equitable opportunity for small-holder farmers, increasing productivity and improving rural livelihoods.
For more details: http://www.responsiblebusiness.com/events/responsible-business-forum-hanoi/
One of my basic 1st 7 SDG's model to connect next 3.4 billion create smart villages. last 25 yrs back visions for humanity, now 100 billionaires controlling next 3.4 billion poverty middle class and to make each village live based on Self Development Goals.
National Strategic Alliance on Sustainable Agriculture Principles GlobalHunt Foundation
GlobalHunt Foundation initiated the National Strategic Alliance on Sustainable Agricultural Principles (SAP). This outcome report showcases the proceedings of the multi stakeholder meeting to discuss and strategize on key issues on pertaining to the alliance. AsaCSRandSustainabilityResearch,ConsultingandAdvisoryorganizationGlobalHuntFoundationthroughtheformulationofStrategicAllianceforSustainableAgricultureendeavorsobringsustainabilityintherealmofagriculture.Thepurposebehindtheallianceistoformulatesustainableprinciplesofagriculturethathelpsindesigningprogrammesacrosspan-Indiatowardstherevivingandsecuringofsustainableindigenousfarmingpractices,launching programmes that will enable upscaling of small and marginal farmers,preservation of indigenous knowledge,skills and enhancing ethical value chain.
It is my great privilege to present the 2013 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities! These 17 activities are shining examples of climate action around the world. They demonstrate what happens when innovation and passion come together to address the biggest challenge of our time.
This year’s activities touch on three focus areas:
Women for Results: recognizing the critical leadership and participation of women in addressing climate change. This focus area is implemented with the generous support of The Rockefeller Foundation.
Urban Poor: recognizing climate action that improves the lives of impoverished people in urban communities. This focus area is implemented with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Financing for Climate Friendly Investment: recognizing successful and innovative climate-smart activities. This focus area is implemented in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
I am convinced that this year’s Lighthouse Activities will inspire you and help you take practical ideas for action to your communities. Each of us has a role to play in meeting the climate challenge, and sharing success helps raise ambition and scale up the global commitment to act on climate change.
Sincerely,
Christiana Figueres | UNFCCC Executive Secretary
Farmer Co-ops For Efficient Production & MarketingNFCACoops
This presentation by Erbin Crowell, Executive Director, Neighboring Food Co-op Association and Roger Noonan, President, New England Farmers Union, covers how co-operatives benefit their member-owners, farmers, consumers, and the food system. Learn how your operation could benefit by being part of a producer/marketing co-operative, and discover the steps involved in setting one up.
Farmer Co-ops for More Efficient Marketing NFCACoops
This presentation from the 2016 Northeast Organic Farming Association conference gives an overview of how the co-operative enterprise is a powerful tool for farmers seeking more efficient marketing and a more sustainable food system. It covers examples from our region, steps to establishing a co-op, advice for effective governance and collaboration, and opportunities to access grant resources to support your ideas.
Presenters: Roger Noonan of New England Farmers Union (NEFU) and Erbin Crowell, Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA).
Co-ops and Their Role in the Collaborative Economy and Growing a Conscious Bu...NFCACoops
Co-operative businesses offer unique models for collaborative entrepreneurship—an effective tool for economic development that roots infrastructure in the community through member ownership and democratic governance. Whether you are interested in starting a new business, considering converting an existing business to co-op ownership, or want to learn about alternative models for food system development, this presentation from the 2017 Slow Living Summit is for you. This presentation includes perspectives from worker, farmer, and retail food co-ops on how co-operative business provides a vehicle for collaborative entrepreneurship and the role that co-ops play in building more sustainable, resilient and participatory food systems and economies.
With Erbin Crowell, Neighboring Food Co-op Association; Sabine Rhyne, Brattleboro Food Co-Op; Kristin Howard, Real Pickles Co-op & Tony Risitano, Sales Manager at Deep Root Organic Co-op
Sustainable Innovation: A solution to Africa's Poverty IICSR-in-Action
In our previous article, we demonstrated ‘How Africa Can Eliminate Poverty with Market-Creating Innovation’, but in this article, we consider another form of innovation that has its roots in sustainable development which can guide economic activities against inflicting more damages on the continent’s woes, and this concept is known as sustainable innovation.
Fostering the social forestry program: Inclusive business models (IBMs) in co...CIFOR-ICRAF
Presented by Ani Nawir of the Center for International Forestry Research at the 3rd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, on 23–25 April 2018 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Since 1967, the Federation of Southern Co-operatives (FSC) has worked to increase incomes, support economic development, and assist in land retention, especially for African Americans but essentially for all family farmers in the Southern US. This presentation focuses on efforts to develop regional marketing and food distribution systems that can link co-operative communities in the South with those in other parts of the country through trade.
Cooperatives and Sustainable Foods. Sustainable Foods Summit 2012 AgroFairHans-Willem van der Waal
Presentation held at the Sustainable Foods Summit 2012, Amsterdam. In the year of the cooperatives, this presentation highlights the role cooepratives play in the Fairtrade system.
This PPT is an effort by us to give an overview of the CSR initiatives under taken by ITC Ltd. The PPT further highlights 3 unique CSR activities carried out by the company.
Disclosure: The content in the PPT is referred from the Sustainability Report of ITC Ltd.
20 years after the historic Rio Earth Summit, the world is again coming together to define our path to the future at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication was defined as one of the two overarching themes of the conference. But what exactly is a green economy? Can a green economy be the path to universal human well-being?
Farmer Co-ops For Efficient Production & MarketingNFCACoops
This presentation by Erbin Crowell, Executive Director, Neighboring Food Co-op Association and Roger Noonan, President, New England Farmers Union, covers how co-operatives benefit their member-owners, farmers, consumers, and the food system. Learn how your operation could benefit by being part of a producer/marketing co-operative, and discover the steps involved in setting one up.
Farmer Co-ops for More Efficient Marketing NFCACoops
This presentation from the 2016 Northeast Organic Farming Association conference gives an overview of how the co-operative enterprise is a powerful tool for farmers seeking more efficient marketing and a more sustainable food system. It covers examples from our region, steps to establishing a co-op, advice for effective governance and collaboration, and opportunities to access grant resources to support your ideas.
Presenters: Roger Noonan of New England Farmers Union (NEFU) and Erbin Crowell, Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA).
Co-ops and Their Role in the Collaborative Economy and Growing a Conscious Bu...NFCACoops
Co-operative businesses offer unique models for collaborative entrepreneurship—an effective tool for economic development that roots infrastructure in the community through member ownership and democratic governance. Whether you are interested in starting a new business, considering converting an existing business to co-op ownership, or want to learn about alternative models for food system development, this presentation from the 2017 Slow Living Summit is for you. This presentation includes perspectives from worker, farmer, and retail food co-ops on how co-operative business provides a vehicle for collaborative entrepreneurship and the role that co-ops play in building more sustainable, resilient and participatory food systems and economies.
With Erbin Crowell, Neighboring Food Co-op Association; Sabine Rhyne, Brattleboro Food Co-Op; Kristin Howard, Real Pickles Co-op & Tony Risitano, Sales Manager at Deep Root Organic Co-op
Sustainable Innovation: A solution to Africa's Poverty IICSR-in-Action
In our previous article, we demonstrated ‘How Africa Can Eliminate Poverty with Market-Creating Innovation’, but in this article, we consider another form of innovation that has its roots in sustainable development which can guide economic activities against inflicting more damages on the continent’s woes, and this concept is known as sustainable innovation.
Fostering the social forestry program: Inclusive business models (IBMs) in co...CIFOR-ICRAF
Presented by Ani Nawir of the Center for International Forestry Research at the 3rd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, on 23–25 April 2018 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Since 1967, the Federation of Southern Co-operatives (FSC) has worked to increase incomes, support economic development, and assist in land retention, especially for African Americans but essentially for all family farmers in the Southern US. This presentation focuses on efforts to develop regional marketing and food distribution systems that can link co-operative communities in the South with those in other parts of the country through trade.
Cooperatives and Sustainable Foods. Sustainable Foods Summit 2012 AgroFairHans-Willem van der Waal
Presentation held at the Sustainable Foods Summit 2012, Amsterdam. In the year of the cooperatives, this presentation highlights the role cooepratives play in the Fairtrade system.
This PPT is an effort by us to give an overview of the CSR initiatives under taken by ITC Ltd. The PPT further highlights 3 unique CSR activities carried out by the company.
Disclosure: The content in the PPT is referred from the Sustainability Report of ITC Ltd.
20 years after the historic Rio Earth Summit, the world is again coming together to define our path to the future at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication was defined as one of the two overarching themes of the conference. But what exactly is a green economy? Can a green economy be the path to universal human well-being?
The Green Economy Report (Title page Acknowledgements, Forward, Contents)Green Economy Initiative
TThe final version of the Green Economy Report.
Released on 16th of November 2011. The Green Economy Report is compiled by UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative in collaboration with economists and experts worldwide. Convincing evidence for policymakers and business leaders to invest in clean technologies, renewable energy and natural infrastructure.
Certainly, here are six key responsibilities of the Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Enforcement of Competition Law: The CCI is entrusted with enforcing the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, to prevent anti-competitive practices, ensure fair competition, and protect consumer interests in the Indian market.
Investigation of Anti-Competitive Practices: It investigates complaints and cases related to anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant positions by firms, and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions to maintain a competitive market environment.
Review of Mergers and Acquisitions: The CCI reviews mergers, acquisitions, and combinations to evaluate their potential impact on competition in the market and prevent combinations that may significantly lessen competition.
Competition Advocacy: The CCI engages in competition advocacy activities to raise awareness about the benefits of competition, educate stakeholders about competition law, and promote a competitive market culture in India.
Guidance and Advisory Services: It provides guidance, recommendations, and advisory opinions to businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders on competition-related matters, including compliance with competition law and best practices.
Market Studies and Research: The CCI conducts market studies, research, and analysis to assess competition issues, identify market trends, and propose policy recommendations to promote competition and consumer welfare.
These responsibilities collectively contribute to the CCI's mission of fostering a competitive market environment, promoting economic efficiency, and safeguarding consumer interests in India.
AMCHAM’S Agriculture & Food Processing Committee members prepared a capability deck on Sustainable Initiatives undertaken by their respective organizations. The deck showcases member companies’ best practices in agriculture and food sectors. It aims to promote sustainability as a way forward and motivates companies to take a more sustainable approach towards development.
Strategic CSR & Sustainability Summit 2017 by FiinovationFiinovation
Fiinovation- A global consulting company operating in multiple disciplines of social development sector with emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability.
IN THIS SUMMARY
The earth today suffers from many problems ranging from climate change, insufficient food, dwindling energy resources, biodiversity, and poverty. Although the vast majority of human action is based on competition, many of the challenges faced by society could be solved through cooperation. In Co-opportunity, John Grant describes different cooperative solutions to sustainability problems. He focuses on five “bottlenecks” to sustainability, including representative democracy, how people define the “good life,” the relationship between buyers and sellers, the current free market model, and using return on investment as a measure of productivity. Through case studies of different people and organizations, Grant illustrates how social innovators can implement cooperative solutions.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
http://www.bizsum.com/summaries/co-opportunity
Importance of sustainable development in businesses.pdfTerrasustain
Business sustainability is the practice of conducting business without adversely affecting the environment.
A green business provides high-quality interest to the local and globalized world, which means it helps the community and economy that depends on a healthy earth.
PowerPoint Presentation prepared and presented by President of Carroll Properties Corporation- Elizabeth Belenchia exploring the Real Estate Industries' opportunity to be leaders in the global economy- a driving force for eco-friendly properties and ventures.
Encryption in Microsoft 365 - ExpertsLive Netherlands 2024Albert Hoitingh
In this session I delve into the encryption technology used in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Purview. Including the concepts of Customer Key and Double Key Encryption.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 daysAdtran
At WSTS 2024, Alon Stern explored the topic of parametric holdover and explained how recent research findings can be implemented in real-world PNT networks to achieve 100 nanoseconds of accuracy for up to 100 days.
Maruthi Prithivirajan, Head of ASEAN & IN Solution Architecture, Neo4j
Get an inside look at the latest Neo4j innovations that enable relationship-driven intelligence at scale. Learn more about the newest cloud integrations and product enhancements that make Neo4j an essential choice for developers building apps with interconnected data and generative AI.
LF Energy Webinar: Electrical Grid Modelling and Simulation Through PowSyBl -...DanBrown980551
Do you want to learn how to model and simulate an electrical network from scratch in under an hour?
Then welcome to this PowSyBl workshop, hosted by Rte, the French Transmission System Operator (TSO)!
During the webinar, you will discover the PowSyBl ecosystem as well as handle and study an electrical network through an interactive Python notebook.
PowSyBl is an open source project hosted by LF Energy, which offers a comprehensive set of features for electrical grid modelling and simulation. Among other advanced features, PowSyBl provides:
- A fully editable and extendable library for grid component modelling;
- Visualization tools to display your network;
- Grid simulation tools, such as power flows, security analyses (with or without remedial actions) and sensitivity analyses;
The framework is mostly written in Java, with a Python binding so that Python developers can access PowSyBl functionalities as well.
What you will learn during the webinar:
- For beginners: discover PowSyBl's functionalities through a quick general presentation and the notebook, without needing any expert coding skills;
- For advanced developers: master the skills to efficiently apply PowSyBl functionalities to your real-world scenarios.
Removing Uninteresting Bytes in Software FuzzingAftab Hussain
Imagine a world where software fuzzing, the process of mutating bytes in test seeds to uncover hidden and erroneous program behaviors, becomes faster and more effective. A lot depends on the initial seeds, which can significantly dictate the trajectory of a fuzzing campaign, particularly in terms of how long it takes to uncover interesting behaviour in your code. We introduce DIAR, a technique designed to speedup fuzzing campaigns by pinpointing and eliminating those uninteresting bytes in the seeds. Picture this: instead of wasting valuable resources on meaningless mutations in large, bloated seeds, DIAR removes the unnecessary bytes, streamlining the entire process.
In this work, we equipped AFL, a popular fuzzer, with DIAR and examined two critical Linux libraries -- Libxml's xmllint, a tool for parsing xml documents, and Binutil's readelf, an essential debugging and security analysis command-line tool used to display detailed information about ELF (Executable and Linkable Format). Our preliminary results show that AFL+DIAR does not only discover new paths more quickly but also achieves higher coverage overall. This work thus showcases how starting with lean and optimized seeds can lead to faster, more comprehensive fuzzing campaigns -- and DIAR helps you find such seeds.
- These are slides of the talk given at IEEE International Conference on Software Testing Verification and Validation Workshop, ICSTW 2022.
GraphSummit Singapore | The Art of the Possible with Graph - Q2 2024Neo4j
Neha Bajwa, Vice President of Product Marketing, Neo4j
Join us as we explore breakthrough innovations enabled by interconnected data and AI. Discover firsthand how organizations use relationships in data to uncover contextual insights and solve our most pressing challenges – from optimizing supply chains, detecting fraud, and improving customer experiences to accelerating drug discoveries.
In his public lecture, Christian Timmerer provides insights into the fascinating history of video streaming, starting from its humble beginnings before YouTube to the groundbreaking technologies that now dominate platforms like Netflix and ORF ON. Timmerer also presents provocative contributions of his own that have significantly influenced the industry. He concludes by looking at future challenges and invites the audience to join in a discussion.
Dr. Sean Tan, Head of Data Science, Changi Airport Group
Discover how Changi Airport Group (CAG) leverages graph technologies and generative AI to revolutionize their search capabilities. This session delves into the unique search needs of CAG’s diverse passengers and customers, showcasing how graph data structures enhance the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated search results, mitigating the risk of “hallucinations” and improving the overall customer journey.
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity. Users of mobile devices desire to take full advantage of the features
available on those devices, but many of the features provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security. This best practices guide outlines steps the users can take to better protect personal devices and information.
Alt. GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using ...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesLaura Byrne
Clients don’t know what they don’t know. What web solutions are right for them? How does WordPress come into the picture? How do you make sure you understand scope and timeline? What do you do if sometime changes?
All these questions and more will be explored as we talk about matching clients’ needs with what your agency offers without pulling teeth or pulling your hair out. Practical tips, and strategies for successful relationship building that leads to closing the deal.
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
Unep presentation (versión5)
1. Agroamerica’s contribution to a Green
Economy in the context of poverty
eradication and sustainable development
Our contribution to global processes in the private sector
April 2011
2. What is a Green Economy?
It means sustainability over the long term.
• In the October, 2010 issue of The Harvard Business Review, Peter
Senge ‐founder of the Society for Organizational Learning and a
faculty member at MIT Sloan School of Management said:
Companies that have survived for more than 200 years have a
commonality in understanding of themselves as a human community
first and a money making machine second. This is what makes them
sustainable.
• A Green Economy is one that results in improved human well-being
and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks
and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy
can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient, and
socially inclusive (UNEP, 2010).
3. To produce more with less…
A critical issue at hand
• Accelerating population growth and climate change is causing an increasing
scarcity of finite natural resources.
• Providing nourishment and food security for a growing world population,
expected to reach 9 billion in 2050, is a challenge for governments and global
producers1.
• Readily available arable land is also becoming scarce with an expected ¼ of an acre
of cropland per person in 2050 versus the ½ acre we use today2.
• Freshwater reserves are drying out, and the use of fresh water across the globe is
exceeding the natural hydrological rate of recharge3.
The question thus becomes: “How do we produce more and increase
productivity by optimizing the use of available resources and create a
sustainable future for generations to come?”
1. FAO, 2010.
2. Whitty, Julia (May/June, 2010). The last taboo, Mother Jones.
3. WWAP, 2003; Johansson et.al, 2002; UNEP, 2010.
4. Preserving natural resources: Water efficiency,
carbon capture, clean energy, and recycling
• Precision agriculture and water efficiency: We invested in
the latest technology for precision agriculture for over
11,000 hectares of our plantations, thus reducing water
usage by 20% and irrigation costs by 20% while maintaining
record yields.
• Carbon capture & clean energy: We capture over 30,000
TM/year of CO2 in a project registered with the United
Nation´s Clean Development Mechanism and use biogas
generators to produce 5MW/hr of clean energy for sale to
the grid.
Our goal is to become carbon neutral in our banana
operations, and become net carbon sequesters in our palm
oil operations.
• Recycling: We’ve implemented the use of environmentally
friendly materials for the protection of bananas which can be
re-used up to 3 times versus plastic bags, which can only be
used once. We have reduced the costs/box by 7% and
plastic bag usage by 66%.
5. Commitment to source sustainable
products
• Initiatives such as precision agriculture, carbon capture, clean energy, and recycling
give us a competitive advantage over other players.
• Multinationals such as Unilever, Walmart, Procter & Gamble, and other consumer
product companies have taken the initiative to source only sustainable palm oil
products; for this, we applaud them.
• Following these initiatives, in 2010, Agroamerica became the first palm oil company in
the world to become Rainforest Alliance certified, which included the reforestation of
450 hectares with native species.
However…
• From a producer´s point of view, there is a substantial investment
associated with innovative technologies and sustainable certifications, but
unfortunately, the market doesn´t recognize this.
• There is a miscommunication between the client´s CSR policy and the
supply chain sourcing…
Incentives which recognize the efforts of sustainable companies promote
wider application of sustainability practices within the supply chain.
6. Businesses, governments, international agencies,
and stakeholders need to work together.
Businesses must prioritize community
development and sustainability in their business
strategies in order to be competitive world-wide.
Government participation in developing countries
is crucial in promoting sustainability practices and
legislating in favor of sustainable market
requirements.
International agencies such as the UN, through
institutions like UNEP, must promote initiatives by
companies as well as NGO´s to expand
sustainability practices.
These International agencies must work as liaisons
between stakeholders, companies, and
governments to achieve results, instead of finger-
pointing. The latter, doesn´t solve the issues at
hand.
7. What do we expect from institutions? (UN,
international, and civil society organizations)
Companies that are truly committed to society and do more than just the minimum
required by law, the marketplace, and the consumer do not expect to be treated the
same way as those companies that do not contribute to the creation of sustainable
products.
We expect the market to recognize the minimum price that must be paid for a product
that generates decent jobs for those involved.
Agroamérica has become the first company nationwide to sign up as a Living Wage
Employer to promote the well-being of the families and the collaborators of our banana
and palm oil plantations.
We hold certifications with global standards that improve the supply chain:
Rainforest Alliance Ethical Standards
Global Gap Business Alliance for Secure Commerce
C-TPAT
8. We are becoming more creative and innovative because of
the need to produce MORE while using LESS.
The greatest benefits within a supply
chain are derived by extending one´s
focus as far as possible upstream
toward the raw materials, downstream
toward the consumer, and then back
again as the product and its wastes are
recycled.
9. CSR projects work toward sustainability and generate
resource-efficient products.
• Private preschool and grade school for the
children of our collaborators. 5,202 people
from two communities benefit from the
school.
• Creation of constructive dialogue between
workers and farm management with BSR
and Centrarse. Achieved a corresponding
reduction of 20% in work stoppages, an
increase in productivity, and a mutually
agreed-upon goal of increasing productivity
by more than 15%.
• The creation of a community and human
development center that will provide
opportunities for the integrated
development of individuals and families from
poor communities located in the Southwest
of Guatemala, with the purpose of improving
quality of life and measure HDI. More than
30,000 people will benefit.
10. Conclusions and Recommendations
• The scarcity of natural resources creates a challenge for businesses to design new
and innovative ways to increase production while minimizing environmental
impact, and at the same time, improve supply chain sustainability.
• Multinational companies must encourage sourcing/procurement personnel to
provide incentives and fair prices for sustainably produced products.
• Governments, private businesses, and civil society organizations must work
together in order to provide the market with greener products and expedite their
delivery.
• Institutions and civil society organizations must understand the importance of
private companies’ impact on developing regions; they can provide their
employees and surrounding communities with better living and working
conditions.
• Governments, stakeholders, and private businesses need to stop finger-pointing
and, instead, work together towards solutions that create green economies.
• Companies must develop a sense of human community and develop sustainability
practices in order to be successful in the long run.