Page 73 - Food&Drink Nov-Dec 2020

‘environment’ or ‘social responsibility’ or ‘our impact’. There was significant variation in the depth of information and the level of commitment to sustainability within this category.
LESS THAN ONE IN FIVE LINK TO THE UN SDGS Eighteen companies out of the Top 100 cite specific UN SDGs and/or link their commitments and targets to the goals.
MORE THAN ONE THIRD HAD OUTDATED OR NO REPORTING
Thirty-six companies provide some sustainability related content that is outdated or provides no date or year of reporting. Companies that published information prior to 2017 are included in this category as are companies that provided no dates.
Fourteen do not have a dedicated sustainability section or page on their website but somewhere mention sustainable practices or keywords.
Seventeen had no information related to the SDGs and did not include any sustainability information in the website.
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
This review provides an indication of the extent of reporting and acknowledgement by Australian and multinational food and drink businesses operating in Australia, against the UN SDGs. Overall, while recognition of ‘sustainability’ is widespread throughout the Top 100’s websitesandpublic commitments, connecting initiatives and reporting with the SDGs is low.
There is a clear opportunity for food and drink companies operating in Australia to align strategy and reporting with the SDGs and to leverage this as a communication platform. This is particularly relevant for organisations looking for a
11% 14%
6% 16%
17%
6%
7%
future focused pathway
that connects corporate initiatives and brands more closely with consumers evolving values around sustainability and health and wellness, while also appealing to ethical investors and to employees looking to work for purposeful companies.
Alignment of sustainability initiatives with the UN SDGs is one way to build long term business resilience, grow trust and maintain market relevance nowandintothefuture. ✷
✷ ABOUTTHEAUTHOR Sharon Natoli is the
founding director of
Food & Nutrition
Australia, an author,
speaker and specialist in
the future of food. She
hosts The Virtual Lunch Room, a monthly forum sharing perspectives on the future of food and is an advocate for the UN SDGs.
8% 14% 16%
7% 12%
17%
11% 13%
4%
4%
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
✷ MEASURING AGAINST THE SDGS THE 2019 TOP 100 COMPANIES
REFERENCING SDGS
Of the 18 companies mentioning or reporting against the SDGs, the most popular goals were those linked to responsible production and consumption (goal 12), clean water and sanitation (goal 6), climate action (goal 13) and good health and wellbeing (goal 3).
• Fonterra
• Coca-Cola Amatil
• Lion
• Treasury Wine Estates • Nestlé Australia
• Wrigley Australia
• Unilever Australia
• Pepsico
• Mondelez Australia
• Bega Cheese
• The a2 Milk Company
• Sunrice
• Diageo
• AACO
• General Mills
• Moet Hennessy Australia • Brown-Forman Australia • Select Harvests
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | November-December 2020 | Food&Drink business | 73