A growing coalition of private-public partners are working pre-competitively to develop an integrated picture of sustainability for Canada’s agri-food sector from food production to retail. Creating the National Index on Agri-Food Performance aims to be based on science-based and high quality metrics and will span four sustainability priorities: the environment, economic, food integrity, and societal well-being.
Demonstrating sustainability credentials presents an immense economic opportunity for the sector and for advancing the country’s food ambition. Consumers, customers, investors and regulators, worldwide, increasingly expect food production and supply to be more sustainable and responsible. With an Index in hand, Canada can credibly show its track record, leadership and mark progress on improvements going forward.
By accelerating Index development in 2021-2022, a modest pilot “Index 1.0” is to be launched in the first half of 2023. The partners aim to secure longer-term funding in 2023 to establish the proposed Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking to manage and evolve the Index.
Global agri-food is not seen as sustainable, healthy or inclusive and food systems worldwide are being urged to make urgent and transformative change.
Benchmarking agri-food practices is therefore becoming essential to operate and compete worldwide.
Many countries are getting organized to respond to the same challenge and are positioning their respective food system as being “the most sustainable”.
However, Canada does not have an integrated picture of its sustainability credentials. Canada also appears to be leaving value off the table – better sustainability data and insights can show the progress being made on priorities important in the marketplace and garner greater confidence in Canada’s response going forward.
Proof of sustainability can favour Canada. Canadian agriculture has among the lowest environmental footprints anywhere and is a global leader in food safety. A number of Canadian commodity sectors and food companies are at the forefront of change – and their responses are world-class. Building on its track record of world leading agronomic, food safety, animal health practices and good governance reputation, Canada is well-positioned to leverage such leadership.
For more information on the need for an Index, see the June 2021 Business Case report and the May 2022 Final Report - Part 1: Synthesis of Results.
Showing consumers that Canada’s food brand is safe, sustainable and responsible. Marking social and environmental progress further enhances trust.
Validating sustainability claims can differentiate Canadian food creating new economic opportunities in the domestic and global marketplace.
Demonstrating sustainability credentials helps to grow and protect market share, enabling success domestically and in accessing export markets.
Aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other global goals and supply chain reporting requirements improves transparency.
Reassuring investors about Canada’s food production resilience prospects has increasing importance as climate change and other risks are assessed.
Benchmarking sustainability enables Canada to more credibly express its national interest in global food dialogues about food system change.
Better metrics offer a new lens to inform policy choices, research and innovation priorities and agri-food strategy – better positioning the sector for the future.
For more information on the need for an Index, see the June 2021 Business Case report and the May 2022 Final Report - Part 1: Synthesis of Results.
(in development)
The National Index will be:
For more information, see the June 2021 Business Case report and the Jan/Feb 2021 Benchmarking report, and the May 2022 Final Report - Part 1: Synthesis of Results.
Premise: Global agri-food is not seen as sustainable, healthy or inclusive – requiring urgent & transformative change.
*ESG: environmental, social, governance factors
Presenting Canada’s sustainability credentials to a more demanding food world presents an enormous opportunity…but we need to make it happen.
For Phase 3 (June 2022–spring 2023).
Protein Industries Canada’s Capacity Building Program for Phase 2C (Oct 2021–May 2022).
All partners have contributed financial and/or in-kind support for the National Index initiative across each phase of work since 2020.