AIC at 20: Guiding the UK agri-supply industry towards a sustainable future
As AIC marks 20 years as the UK agri-supply industry’s leading trade association, we're looking back at some of its greatest achievements since it was founded in 2003.
Each week throughout 2023, we’ll explore a major achievement where AIC represented its Member businesses, promoted the benefits of modern commercial agriculture in the UK, and supported collaboration throughout the food chain.
Discover why AIC launched its first Sustainability Roadmap, informing Members, policymakers and stakeholders of where the industry has come from - but more importantly, what is needed to achieve our goals for 2050.
Industry leadership
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and environmental outcomes, the agricultural industry plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a more sustainable future.
Recognising this imperative, AIC launched its Sustainability Roadmap as a progressive initiative in 2020, marking a significant milestone in the industry's commitment to sustainable practices.
The Roadmap's launch was driven by a growing awareness of the agricultural sector's environmental and societal impact, including issues related to greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and soil health.
Consumers, investors and businesses are all placing greater importance on ethical and sustainable practices, heightening a demand for transparency and accountability within the industry.
There is also an urgent need to address climate change and preserve our planet for future generations, underscoring the critical nature of this initiative.
Sustainable commitments
The Sustainability Roadmap serves as a comprehensive guide to the agricultural industry's journey toward sustainability.
It outlines a clear path for industry stakeholders, providing actionable steps and targets to reduce environmental impacts, enhance biodiversity, and promote responsible farming practices.
By addressing these critical areas, AIC aims to foster a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive agricultural sector.
Core components of the Roadmap include reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable land management, minimising waste, and adopting innovative technologies.
This AIC initiative highlights the importance of collaboration throughout the food system including between government agencies, farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers to achieve these ambitious goals.
By setting clear objectives and promoting collaboration, the Roadmap represents a vital step toward a greener and more environmentally conscious agricultural industry.
In 2023 AIC appointed Vicky Robinson as its Head of Sustainability, and a core part of her work will focus on evolving and advancing the Sustainability Roadmap.
Visit the Sustainability Roadmap webpage to find out more, and watch the video below to learn about AIC's role as the UK agri-supply industry's trade association.
Make sure you're following AIC on X and LinkedIn for regular updates.
Visit the AIC at 20 webpage for more content like this.
Authors
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.
Vicky Robinson
Vicky Robinson is Head of Sustainability and is responsible for leading and co-ordinating AIC's work on sustainability.
