U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action (USFRA), which represents farmer and rancher-led organizations, has published a new SDG roadmap report which has been endorsed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The report highlights the key role of U.S. agriculture in reaching the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assesses key opportunities for U.S. agriculture to continue to drive a resilient and sustainable agricultural system in the next decade.
USFRA released the report at its annual Honor the Harvest Forum, which virtually convened more than 200 farmer, rancher, food, agriculture, finance, science and technology leaders to finalize a first-of-its-kind food and agriculture sector-wide vision: a future where a resilient, restorative, economically viable, and climate-smart agricultural system produces abundant and nutritious food, natural fiber and clean energy for a sustainable, vibrant and prosperous America.
“Farmers and ranchers are uniquely positioned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using on-farm practices that increase carbon storage and improve soil, but they can’t do it alone,” said USFRA CEO, Erin Fitzgerald.
“The agriculture industry is currently on a trajectory to halve its carbon footprint in the next ten years. Continued innovation and collaboration at scale is required from every corner of the food and agriculture value chain to reduce greenhouse gases and provide for our communities.”
Diane Holdorf, Managing Director for Food and Nature at WBCSD, added, “Collaboration and partnership are essential to realizing the SDGs and U.S. Agriculture has a huge role to play. WBCSD welcomes the leadership demonstrated in this SDG Roadmap for U.S. Agriculture, and is committed to supporting the essential investment, technologies and innovation required to meet the SDGs for our food system.”