The UN Global Compact launched the Food and Agriculture Business (FAB) Principles, following a two-year consultation process with over 1,000 businesses, UN agencies and civil society organizations engaged in agriculture, food and nutrition systems.
The six FAB Principles aim to help realize sustainable development and empower businesses to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda.
The principles were introduced in Rome, Italy, on 13 May 2014.
13 May 2014: The UN Global Compact launched the Food and Agriculture Business (FAB) Principles, following a two-year consultation process with over 1,000 businesses, UN agencies and civil society organizations engaged in agriculture, food and nutrition systems. The six FAB Principles aim to help realize sustainable development and empower businesses to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda. The principles were introduced in Rome, Italy, on 13 May 2014.
The FAB Principles are the first set of global voluntary business principles for the food and agriculture sector, and are designed to serve as umbrella principles that complement existing initiatives on agriculture and food sustainability. The Principles respond to calls from the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) for sustainable intensification of food production through increasing local investments, reducing waste in supply chains and ensuring access to local and global markets.
The Principles are: aim for food security, health and nutrition; be environmentally responsible; ensure economic viability and share value; respect human rights, create decent work and help communities to thrive; encourage good governance and accountability; and promote access and transfer of knowledge, skills and technology, for both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and smallholders.
On environmental responsibility, the Principles call for businesses to support the sustainable intensification of food systems through responsible management of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and livestock systems, while protecting and enhancing the environment and using natural resources efficiently and optimally.
The Principles are aimed at “companies in this sector wanting to act responsibly,” said Puvan Selvanathan, UN Global Compact. “We welcome all farmers and agribusinesses – regardless of size, crop or location – to make this principle-based commitment and show their overall orientation toward corporate sustainability.”
The Principles also provide a common basis for corporate sustainability reporting. Corporate participants in the Global Compact can use the Principles to disclose their agriculture and food policies and practices in their annual Communication on Progress (COP). [UN Global Compact Press Release] [FAB Principles Flyer] [Frequently Asked Questions] [IISD RS Story on Rio+20 Calls for Principles]