Global Investor Engagement on Meat Sourcing

For many fast-food companies, supply chain risks present growing challenges to supply security, sustainability ambitions, brand reputation, and financial growth. The fast-food sector plays a dominant role in feeding our global population, with around 84.8 million adults in the US (nearly one-third of the population) consuming fast food on any given day. This sector continues to expand rapidly in developed and emerging markets, with a significant portion of items sold being wholly or partially made from meat and dairy products.

Animal proteins have a significant environmental footprint across three key areas: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water and land use. In August 2019, the IPCC published a special report on climate change and land, arguing that the global food system not only contributes to global GHG emissions but is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Such exposure can create material, operational, reputational, and market risks for the companies buying animal protein products. Agriculture and land use make up 24% of global GHG emissions and are among the biggest drivers of tropical deforestation. Rising temperatures will also impact the productivity of these companies.

In Phase 3, investors asked companies to commit to key interim objectives identified during Phase 2. While these objectives might have differed for each company, we sought to focus broadly on plans to set targets related to water use and the quality of their meat and dairy supply chains. Investors asked companies to implement a strategy to meet their emissions reduction targets and disclose a climate scenario analysis aligned with TCFD recommendations.

Please note that this engagement has now ended. For more information, please contact: Cristina Figaredo, Research & Engagements Manager