Global Food Companies Unite on Climate Action

With key international climate negotiations fast approaching in Paris, the chief executive officers of Mars, Incorporated, General Mills, Unilever, Kellogg Company, Nestlé USA, New Belgium Brewing, Ben & Jerry’s, Clif Bar, Stonyfield Farm and Dannon USA today released a joint letter to U.S. and world leaders pledging to accelerate business action on climate change and urging governments to do the same by forging a robust international agreement this December.

Coordinated by the nonprofit sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, the letter was spotlighted today at a bipartisan, bicameral briefing on climate change in Washington, D.C. featuring a half-dozen food company executives.  The briefing was sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representative Chris Gibson (R-NY).

Climate change is bad for farmers and agriculture.  Drought, flooding, and hotter growing conditions threaten the world’s food supply and contribute to food insecurity,” states the letter, which will appear in today’s Washington Post and Financial Times.  “As world leaders convene in Paris you will have an opportunity to take action on climate change that could significantly change our world for the better.”

“It’s extraordinary to see these iconic food companies, many of which are long-standing competitors, unite at this pivotal moment to urge our political leaders to act swiftly and decisively on global warming, which poses a direct threat to global food supplies,” said Mindy Lubber, President of Ceres.

CEO signatories pledged to boost their companies’ sustainability efforts, to advocate achievable, enforceable science-based carbon reduction targets, and to share their best practices to encourage other companies to join their effort.

Mars President & CEO Grant Reid said, “As a society we face immense challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and deforestation.  We cannot stand back and simply accept these things as they are.  We’re calling on the business community and global leaders to work together to set a new way forward. We can, and must, do more.”

“Climate change is a shared, global challenge that is best addressed at scale,” added Ken Powell, chairman and CEO of General Mills.  “To reduce emission levels, we must work across our collective value chains with growers, suppliers, customers, peer companies, government leaders and industry partners.  Together, we will identify new solutions and promote sustainable agriculture practices that drive emission reductions.”

Read mre at Global Food Companies Unite on Climate Action