On September 25th, Clarmondial AG and Morgan Stanley co-hosted around 100 investors, corporates, and other stakeholders for a panel and networking event during Climate Week NYC to explore innovative business models and opportunities to support resilient supply chains and sustainable agriculture.
The panel featured insights from Jim Andrew, EVP, CSO, PepsiCo; Antonia Wanner, CSO, Nestlé; Jamie Fergusson, Global Director, Climate and Nature, IFC - International Finance Corporation; and Clarmondial AG’s Founder and Director, Tanja Havemann. The discussion was moderated by Courtney Thompson, Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Products and Solutions, Morgan Stanley.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
1️⃣ 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 s𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬. Regenerative agriculture practices can contribute to decarbonization and resilience efforts, including prudent business management. Data collection and analysis can help to identify the benefits of regenerative practices on crop yields, farmer incomes, supply chain stability, and environmental risk management. It can also help to demystify risks, which in turn can inform risk management and resource mobilization, including to mobilize finance.
2️⃣ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. Long-term partnerships based on trust are crucial throughout the agricultural supply chain. Farmers' needs must be put “at the center” of such solutions, for them to work. Collaboration between corporates, and between corporates and financiers, can deliver and scale solutions that address a variety of livelihood, environmental and business needs.
3️⃣ 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬. Corporates are combining internal and external sources of capital to finance sustainable agriculture practices and using their purchasing power to ensure stable demand through long-term agreements. External sources of capital include on and off-balance sheet financing such as supplier financing programs, co-funding alongside government agencies, and mobilization of development finance focused on hardest-to-reach areas. More private capital should (and could) be crowded in.
Financing remains a significant obstacle – and an opportunity. We’re excited to continue this critical conversation and work alongside our partners to unlock capital, share expertise, and scale impact for resilient, sustainable agriculture.
#SustainableFinance #RegenerativeAgriculture #SupplyChains #Partnerships #ClimateAction #ImpactInvesting
