WWF Basket: Agriculture
Food production relies on natural resources like fresh water and fertile soil, but high input, intensive agriculture can undermine the health of soils and freshwater systems.
We need to support the transition to nature friendly farming to ensure farmers can continue to produce healthy, nutritious food for all of us and be kind to nature at the same time. With the right farming practises, farmers can help restore the fertility of the soil, make space for abundant wildlife, clean up our waterways, minimise pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions, in line with science-based targets (SBTs).
Key metrics for agriculture
In collecting information for the WWF Basket, WWF requests data from retailers on the percentage of whole produce and grains in robust schemes for biodiversity and soil health (formerly referred to as robust environmental schemes') to measure progress towards the target of ensuring at least 50% of whole produce and grains are covered by such schemes.
WWF also asks retailers what percentage of meat, dairy and eggs sourced to 'Better' standards, as set out by Eating Better's Sourcing Better Framework, to track progress towards the target of 100%. By doing so, WWF aims to raise the industry standard on animal welfare, antibiotics use, and environmental considerations in livestock production.
Water resources are critically important for and heavily influenced by agriculture. Retailers are asked to provide data on the percentage of fresh produce sourced from regions with sustainable water management., with an overall 2030 target of 50%. Crucially, this metric allows us to understand whether water resources are being managed sustainably at landscape and regional level, not just on individual farms or sites.
Finally, to track progress towards lowering agricultural emissions in line with 1.5 degree SBT, retailers are asked to report what percentage of products they sourced from farms monitoring their greenhouse gas footprint, the percentage reduction in crops grown on lowland peat and the percentage reduction in FLAG emissions.
WWF Basket Agriculture - Outcomes and Measures
-
© David Bebber / WWF-UKOutcome 1: At least 50% of whole produce and grains covered by a robust scheme for biodiversity and soil health
Retailer Progress Measure:
- % of produce & grains sourcing in a robust scheme for biodiversity and soil health
1/4
Find out more
You can find out the latest WWF Basket data on agriculture in our 2024 report, What's in Store for the Planet: the Impact of UK Shopping Baskets on Climate and Nature - 2024.
You can find out more about the WWF Basket ambition for agriculture in the Blueprint for Action and the latest WWF Basket Outcomes and Measures.
WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature – Water Roadmap
WWF is working with WRAP to support and encourage the food and drink sector to take action to deliver on the Courtauld Commitment, which over 55 UK food & drink businesses have signed up to, including all major UK food retailers. The WWF Basket target – for 50% of fresh food to be sourced from areas with sustainable water management by 2030 – is aligned to Courtauld.
In May 2023, working with WWF and WRAP, signatories to WWF’s Retailers’ Commitment for Nature – Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Aldi (from November 2023) – agreed to a series of leadership actions and associated funding contributions intended to drive progress towards the milestones set out in the Courtauld Water Roadmap, and to catalyse other organisations across the food and drink sector to also act, fund and support delivery of the Roadmap.
To find out more about the Courtauld Water Roadmap, click here.
What's in Store for the Planet: The Impact of UK Shopping Baskets on Climate and Nature - 2024
Resource bank
Get in contact
Cross-sector collaboration is the most effective way to bring about the type of environmental change that is needed.
Please contact business@wwf.org.uk if you would like to collaborate with the wider industry on any of the areas addressed in the WWF Basket.
