What's in the news right now about an environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable beef value chain? |
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Executive Director's Message: |
While the Southern Hemisphere has probably been enjoying what summer vacations they could, those in the North have been right back at work, even though for many that has been from home.
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No time is being lost on the preparations for the UN Food Systems Summit, and I have set up discussions with leaders in two of the action tracks and reached out to two more through the Private Sector Guiding Group. Health for Animals sent me this briefing, which you may find useful for discussions around the FSS.
I would like to build on this from our GRSB members' perspective. I would also like to take note of actions our members are taking leading up to both the UNFSS, the Climate and biodiversity COP meetings, and others this year. Please let me know what your organisation has planned for any of those? |
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February's webinar is on the subject of genomics and in particular the promise that it holds for sustainability.
To the world at large, the beef industry is often portrayed as one monolithic industry that may seem to outsiders as impervious to change. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course.
There are scores of millions of cattle owners and beef producers around the world, and thousands of motivations and strategies employed in doing so. The rapid improvement in terms of resource used to produce a pound (or kg) of beef in North America, Europe and Australasia is easily overlooked.
Brazil's rapid improvement, leading to a shrinking footprint for the beef industry there (in spite of the fact that cattle production is pushed further into the forest frontier) is rarely referenced.
These improvements, and the productivity gap they have opened between countries are thanks in large part to genetic gain. Of course, there are other contributory factors, but genetics have been critical and can thus contribute to the achievement of all of our Global Goals. Our panel will be moderated by Neogen, and we will include scientists, cattle producers and industry representatives to review what has been achieved and what is possible. |
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In March we are looking at finance for sustainability. This is a broad topic and one where good ideas abound, but seem to take root and flourish less often.
We are bringing together a panel to talk about mechanisms that are already functioning, with particular reference to our goals. Since I first got involved with sustainability discussions, I have heard about REDD+, Carbon, PES and other sustainability finance mechanisms, but few of them ever seem to go mainstream.
What has been learned over the last two decades of financing sustainability? I often repeat the fact that sustainability (particularly forest conservation) is a global public good, often borne as a private cost by producers. This must change, and it seems now there is some promise on the horizon.
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Thanks, Ruaraidh Petre
Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
Executive Director
January 26, 2021
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Another Big 'Beef Bashing Year' Looms, Despite Contrary Evidence
James Nason, Beef Central, 01/22/21
With several major climate policy developments set to take place, 2021 is shaping as another "severe beef bashing year" from many quarters, despite the significant body of evidence debunking the case against beef on climate and health grounds.
Data Matters: In Cattle Genetics, Details Pay Dividends
Dave Bergmeier, High Plains Journal, 01/01/21
Producers continue to be on an adoption curve and in many ways this generation of producers are using more sophisticated technology to help manage genomic traits as they look for ways to improve their herd, Pfortmiller said. Those opportunities are becoming more readily available and user friendly for livestock producers to acquire the information they need to succeed.
The Success of Carbon Farming Requires Collaborative Innovation
Green Biz, 01/22/21
This is an excerpt from "Leadership for Sustainability" by R. Bruce Hull, David P. Robertson and Michael Mortimer. Copyright 2020 by the authors. Reproduced on GreenBiz by permission of Island Press, Washington, D.C.
Financing Net-Zero: Mobilising the Money for Action On The Ground
Nick Robins, LSE Business Review, 01/21/21 The net-zero target needs to become core to the purpose of the financial system to deliver an investment-led green recovery, writes Nick Robins
Getting to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions is increasingly recognised as an important goal by leaders within the UK's financial community. Strikingly, COVID-19 has deepened rather than deflected financial sector commitment to climate action. |
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Please see a summary of all meetings, calls and webinars on our event calendar in the member area of the website. If you don’t have a password for the members area,
please click on "Forgot Password" at Login. |
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