Sustainability Action Plan: Natural Resources in focus
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has published “Agri-supply: An Action Plan for Sustainable Efficiency”, a pivotal resource designed to support UK agri-supply businesses in navigating the complexities of sustainability.
Launched at the AIC Conference on 13 November 2024, this comprehensive blueprint offers essential guidance for businesses across the key agri-supply sectors of Animal Feed, Combinable Crops, Crop Protection and Agronomy, Fertiliser, and Seed.
AIC’s Action Plan provides a clear framework for enhancing sustainability credentials while driving operational efficiency, fostering resilience, and contributing to a robust agriculture and food system in the UK.
Covering critical topics such as economic resilience, climate impacts, biodiversity, and sustainable communities, it delivers actionable insights and recommendations that align with government policies and market expectations.
Each week, AIC is exploring a chapter of the Sustainability Action Plan - this week we focus on “Natural Resources”. Read the full chapter of AIC's Sustainability Action Plan on this area from page 42.
Visit the Sustainability webpage for more information.
What does it mean?
We draw from our planet the raw materials that we need to live and thrive – air, water, and the soil from which we produce food, fibre and energy.
These resources are finite and therefore extremely precious. Our impact on them and the way we use them needs to be efficient and sustainable if they are to continue to support us, as well as future generations.
Member businesses have a role in ensuring that natural resources can be used to support increased productivity whilst also lessening the demands placed upon them.
Why does it matter to business?
Despite significant improvement in recent decades, air quality continues to be the biggest environmental risk to human health and a source of harm to the natural environment, including impacting crop yields.
Only 1% of Earth’s water is freshwater therefore it must be used wisely. Pollution, over-extraction, and climate change impact on clean water availability. Minimising diffuse and point sources of nitrogen loss are necessary to meet drinking water standards and reduce the need for and cost of water treatment.
Water companies continually monitor for any occurrences of active ingredients from crop protection products at risk of affecting drinking water quality.
Agriculture’s direct water usage accounts for only 1% of water usage in England but its impact on local ecosystems and water availability should not be overlooked.
Soil is a vital natural asset not only for food production but for supporting ecosystems in nutrient cycling, water flow regulation, habitat provision, filtering and buffering processes and physical stability.
The degradation of soils impacts their ability to deliver these ecological benefits as well as impacting agricultural productivity and practice.
The erosion of soil is the main pathway for phosphorus into watercourses and carriage of any active ingredients from plant protection products.
Learn more
AIC’s Action Plan for Sustainable Efficiency is your guide to meaningful progress, offering practical actions to reduce environmental impact, support market access, and secure long-term resilience.
All agri-supply businesses are encouraged to explore the Action Plan and engage with AIC for further support. For queries and further information, contact AIC’s Head of Sustainability Vicky Robinson ([email protected]) or Policy Manager Andrew Pearson ([email protected]).
Go to the Sustainability webpage to find out more, or click below.
Authors
Vicky Robinson
Vicky Robinson is Head of Sustainability and is responsible for leading and co-ordinating AIC's work on sustainability.
