The Role Of True Cost Accounting In Guiding Agrifood Businesses And Investments Towards Sustainability

Author : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 66 pages
File Size : 48,9 Mb
Release : 2023-11-06
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9789251382912

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The role of true cost accounting in guiding agrifood businesses and investments towards sustainability by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

This background paper to The State of Food and Agriculture 2023 describes how true cost accounting (TCA) and the lessons learned from its application can inform efforts to develop a sound economic foundation for sustainability in business and finance in agrifood systems. It looks at the current state of TCA in the business and financial sector, giving examples of different initiatives and resources available that have contributed significantly to the development of knowledge and guidance for TCA application within the private and financial sectors in agrifood systems. The paper recognises the value of drawing on the extensive groundwork that has been conducted under various TCA initiatives to develop ready-reference databases and tools for the private sector. It also acknowledges that numerous gaps need to be filled to ensure the mainstreaming of TCA. These include gaps in the standardization of methods, including indicators, impact pathways and valuation factors. Research and guidance are needed to help businesses integrate capital accounting into corporate governance, strategy and performance models. Overcoming these barriers will require coordinated efforts by different actors in agrifood systems.The great challenges of our time call for a new economic foundation for sustainability. The momentum at the international level to reform business accounting and reporting standards can support a transformation towards sustainable agrifood systems. So far, the initial success of agrifood businesses in applying and integrating TCA into decision-making shows that, given the right enabling environment, businesses can contribute to building socially, environmentally and economically sustainable agrifood systems. To achieve this transformation, however, standard-setting is needed to create a level playing field.

Author : Barbara Gemmill-Herren,Lauren E. Baker,Paula A. Daniels
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 248 pages
File Size : 49,9 Mb
Release : 2021-06-22
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9781000389982

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True Cost Accounting for Food by Barbara Gemmill-Herren,Lauren E. Baker,Paula A. Daniels Pdf

This book explains how True Cost Accounting is an effective tool we can use to address the pervasive imbalance in our food system. Calls are coming from all quarters that the food system is broken and needs a radical transformation. A system that feeds many yet continues to create both extreme hunger and diet-related diseases, and one which has significant environmental impacts, is not serving the world adequately. This volume argues that True Cost Accounting in our food system can create a framework for a systemic shift. What sounds on the surface like a practice relegated to accountants is ultimately a call for a new lens on the valuation of food and a new relationship with the food we eat, starting with the reform of a system out of balance. From the true cost of corn, rice and water, to incentives for soil health, the chapters economically compare conventional and regenerative, more equitable farming practices in and food system structures, including taking an unflinching look at the true cost of cheap labour. Overall, this volume points towards the potential for our food system to be more human-centred than profit-centred and one that has a more respectful relationship to the planet. It sets forth a path forward based on True Cost Accounting for food. This path seeks to fix our current food metrics, in policy and in practice, by applying a holistic lens that evaluates the actual costs and benefits of different food systems, and the impacts and dependencies between natural systems, human systems, agriculture and food systems. This volume is essential reading for professionals and policymakers involved in developing and reforming the food system, as well as students and scholars working on food policy, food systems and sustainability.

Author : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 150 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 2023-11-06
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9789251381670

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The State of Food and Agriculture 2023 by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

Agrifood systems generate significant benefits to society, including the food that nourishes us and jobs and livelihoods for over a billion people. However, their negative impacts due to unsustainable business-as-usual activities and practices are contributing to climate change, natural resource degradation and the unaffordability of healthy diets. Addressing these negative impacts is challenging, because people, businesses, governments and other stakeholders lack a complete picture of how their activities affect economic, social and environmental sustainability when they make decisions on a day-to-day basis. The State of Food and Agriculture 2023 looks into the true cost of food for sustainable agrifood systems. The report introduces the concept of hidden environmental, health and social costs and benefits of agrifood systems and proposes an approach – true cost accounting (TCA) – to assess them. To operationalize the TCA approach, the report proposes a two-phase assessment process, first relying on national-level TCA assessments to raise awareness and then moving towards in-depth and targeted evaluations to prioritize solutions and guide transformative actions. It provides a first attempt at national-level assessments for 154 countries, suggesting that global hidden costs from agrifood systems amount to at least to 10 trillion 2020 PPP dollars. The estimates indicate that low-income countries bear the highest burden of the hidden costs of agrifood systems relative to national income. Despite the preliminary nature of these estimates, the analysis reveals the urgent need to factor hidden costs into decision-making for the transformation of agrifood systems. Innovations in research and data, alongside investments in data collection and capacity building, are needed to scale the application of TCA, especially in low- and middle-income countries, so that it can become a viable tool to inform decision- and policymaking in a transparent and consistent way.

Author : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 114 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2023-11-06
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9789251382820

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True cost accounting applications for agrifood systems policymakers by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

This background paper to The State of Food and Agriculture 2023 introduces true cost accounting (TCA) as an approach to measure and value the costs and benefits generated by agrifood systems in order to facilitate improved decision-making. The paper is based on a systematic review of existing TCA approaches and of relevant case studies in agrifood systems. Guidance on conducting TCA is provided, especially in relation to data collection. The paper ends with a discussion on scaling and harmonizing TCA for agrifood systems transformation. Based on a systematic literature review, the paper describes seven TCA approaches and identifies nine case studies deemed most relevant to policymakers in agrifood systems. It then proceeds to describe the different stages and steps needed to undergo a TCA study, such as: setting the boundaries of their assessment; determining the materiality of indicators; and estimating data points that are not readily available. The latter is particularly important given that a lack of (robust) data at low cost is potentially the main barrier to applying and scaling up TCA, especially in middle- and low-income countries.Because a TCA study requires a substantial amount of data to be collected, it is important to start with the data that are available and use this to determine which data points are crucial to answering a given policy question, to then focus on refining the available data points and filling in missing data points that are essential to the analysis. Another important bottleneck to scaling up TCA is the issue of harmonization, which the paper argues is impeded by the number of approaches available. As future steps for scaling up TCA, harmonization by integrating methodologies and adopting shared principles, ideas and requirements, is thus recommended.

Author : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 62 pages
File Size : 55,8 Mb
Release : 2023-11-06
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9789251382929

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Accounting for the hidden costs of agrifood systems in data-scarce contexts by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

This background paper to The State of Food and Agriculture 2023 reviews the methods used, as well as the data required, to estimate the hidden environmental, social and health costs associated with agrifood systems. The studies analysed are based on the true cost accounting approach, which can facilitate improved decision-making by policymakers, businesses, farmers, investors and consumers. The reviewed studies demonstrate that hidden costs of agrifood systems are considerable, and that action is needed at global, national and local levels. To apply true cost accounting at the country level, the methods developed must be downscaled and the data limitations overcome. This review goes through each cost category – environmental, social and health – and proposes approaches to deal with them, with a focus on country-level estimates and analysis, especially in data-scarce countries. Where data are not available or time is limited, methods combining secondary data are suggested. In some cases, the suggestion is to collaborate with research centres.The paper further argues that, when addressing hidden costs in agrifood systems, trade-offs may arise, which may require the use of more complex tools, such as partial and general equilibrium models, to analyse their impacts on different areas. In general, the extent of the compromise will be minimized if there are at least as many policy instruments as there are objectives. For example, if a country seeks to restore fish stocks and address rural poverty, restricting catch alone could increase poverty in the artisanal fishing community. Adding income support, however, could allow both objectives to be met.

Author : Nadia El-Hage Scialabba
Publisher : Academic Press
Page : 277 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2021-12-02
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9780128230510

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Managing Healthy Livestock Production and Consumption by Nadia El-Hage Scialabba Pdf

Managing Healthy Livestock Production and Consumption is a highly interdisciplinary resource based on scientific and empirical evidence. It is illustrated with best practices of low-input livestock systems from different continents and offers predictive modelling alternatives for a more resilient future. By addressing gaps of knowledge and presenting scientific perspective studies of livestock’s impact on the environment and the global food supply up to 2050, this book is useful for those advocating for sustainable food systems. Existing evidence of the effects of livestock production on food quality and nutrition is reviewed. Livestock production and consumption is a highly diverse topic where current publications only include/focus a single aspect of the issues, for example, greenhouse gas emissions or health impacts, leading to unilateral decisions such as refraining from meat consumption. However, animals are necessary to soil fertility and ecosystems balance and a more realistic resource is necessary for researchers, scientists, and policy makers. This book clarifies perceptions by presenting sound scientific evidence across livestock landscapes for the scientific community to better appreciate the ecological web of life and the social web of community related to livestock production. An edited work written by globally diverse scientists and practitioners, including field workers, technicians, and policy makers, this is a valuable resource for researchers, teachers, and development agents working in the area of sustainable livestock production and consumption of animal source foods. National, international organizations, policy makers, and donors interested in sustainable development of the livestock sector will also find the information here practical and applicable. Describes the public-health impacts of sustainable diets and livestock products Presents the impacts of livestock production on the environment and food supply Explores future scenarios (up to 2050) of low input livestock systems Includes current case studies of low input livestock systems that offer potential for scaling-up and replication for sustainable livestock futures

Author : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 135 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 2021-09-13
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9789251348789

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Guidance on core indicators for agrifood systems – Measuring the private sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

The publication "Guidance on core indicators for agrifood systems – Measuring the private sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals" aims to provide practical information on how food and agriculture companies’ contribution to the SDGs can be measured in a consistent manner and in alignment with countries’ needs relating to monitoring the attainment of Agenda 2030. The indicators are further intended to serve as a tool to assist governments in: improving private sector’s accountability mechanisms and assessing their contribution to SDG implementation, in particular on key transformative actions needed to achieve the SDGs; setting standards and policies for corporate sustainability reporting, establishing national private sector reporting mechanisms, and enabling the reporting on SDG Indicator 12.6.1 (Number of companies publishing sustainability reports); and potentially reusing the data reported by private entities to improve SDG monitoring at the national level. Available in a user-friendly format, the guidance begins with a quick guide that provides a brief overview of the indicators, the audience, scope, and data collection. It is followed by methodological guidance, which provides in-depth detail on the methodology behind each indicator and useful resources for capturing, measuring, and reporting on data for each indicator. Finally, in the annexes, there is a mapping of how the indicators align with various standards and guidance.

Author : Maria Carmela Annosi,Francesco Appio,Federica Brunetta
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 176 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2022-12-30
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9781000823196

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Sustainability in Agribusiness by Maria Carmela Annosi,Francesco Appio,Federica Brunetta Pdf

Accomplishing sustainability in the agribusiness sector is a significant, yet time-sensitive, challenge, especially when balanced with the need to grow sufficient quantity and quality of food to keep the growing global population healthy. Through both quantitative and qualitative methods, this book explores the extent to which the agribusiness sector is already evolving to become sustainable and the ways in which innovation in the industry can help address sustainable development goals, particularly around zero hunger, gender equality, decent work, responsible consumption and production, and climate action. The contributors to this volume address the following key questions: What are the drivers and barriers for the agribusiness sector to become sustainable? Which business models best facilitate the implementation of sustainable goals? How can we measure the extent to which the agribusiness sector is becoming more sustainable? How can the agribusiness sector leverage recent technological advancements to achieve its sustainability goals? The analysis of the sustainability challenges for the sector ranges across various facets of the industry including employment, pre-production industries, agriculture, food processing, distribution, and trade. This book will be of significant interest to readers in agribusiness, innovation management, and sustainability.

Author : Christensen, I.,Romano, M.
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 240 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2023-12-12
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9789251379424

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Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments by Christensen, I.,Romano, M. Pdf

More than a decade has passed since the publication of the series entitled Social Analysis of Agriculture and Rural Investment Projects, which comprises three complementary manuals – the Manager’s, Practitioner’s and Field guides. During this time, conflict, climate change and economic downturns have been driving up poverty, hunger, and socioeconomic inequalities, reducing the resilience of agrifood systems. In response, the FAO Investment Centre has updated the Social Analysis guides to address the evolving and volatile rural transformation context, providing programme managers, practitioners and field workers with a set of enhanced tools for the design, implementation and evaluation of inclusive investments in agrifood systems. Today’s investments must prioritize more demand-driven, people-centred, culturally sensitive and locally owned sustainable approaches, with increased attention to reducing gender and other inequalities. Operationalizing these principles contributes to FAO’s and financing agencies’ objectives of ending poverty, improving food security and nutrition, and reducing inequalities. The goal of the updated guides is to support investments that contribute to inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, aligned with the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the core principle of leaving no one behind. This publication is part of the Investment Toolkits series under the FAO Investment Centre's Knowledge for Investment (K4I) series. The contents of this publication have been turned into three e-leaning courses, which are accessible for free through the FAO E-learning Academy.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 162 pages
File Size : 45,9 Mb
Release : 2001
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : UOM:39015055817343

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Environmental Management Accounting Procedures and Principles by Anonim Pdf

The Expert Working Group on Improving Government's Role in the Promotion of Environmental Management Accounting (EMA), was formed when it was realised that although a number of governments were interested in promoting EMA, there was little communication between the agencies involved. This, the first publication of the Working Group, presents the terminology and techniques used by its members. It aims to establish a common understanding of the basic concepts of EMA and provide a set of principles and procedures to guide those interested in its application.

Author : International Renewable Energy Agency,Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 92 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 2021-11-03
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9789251352359

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Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement by International Renewable Energy Agency,Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

In 2021, the United Nations Secretary-General will convene the Food Systems Summit to advance dialogue and action towards transforming the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food guided by the overarching vision of a fairer, more sustainable world. The Secretary-General will also convene the High-Level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE) to promote the implementation of the energy-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Given the inextricable linkages between the energy and agriculture sectors, integrating the nexus perspective within the FSS and the HLDE is crucial to formulate a joint vision of actions to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. In this context, IRENA and FAO have decided to jointly develop a report on the role of renewable energy used in food chain to advance energy and food security as well as climate action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. While energy has a key enabling role in food system transformation and innovation in agriculture, its current use is unsustainable because of the high dependence on fossil fuels and frequent access to energy in developing countries. The challenge is to disconnect fossil fuel use from food system transformation without hampering food security. The use of renewable energy in food systems offers vast opportunities to address this challenge and help food systems meet their energy needs while advancing rural development while contributing to rural development and climate action.

Author : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
Page : 124 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2023-01-27
Category : Science
ISBN : 9789251374146

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Sustainable use and conservation of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents and microbial biostimulants by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Pdf

Increasing concerns about the impact of pesticide use on biodiversity and human health, and increasing demand for products from biodiversity-friendly production systems, including organic systems, have led to increasing interest in alternative methods of pest control, including the use of biological control agents. This paper presents an overview of the current status of BCAs and biostimulants (focusing only on micro-organisms and invertebrates) and their management, needs and challenge in termsof improving their management and potential opportunities for the Commission and its Members to contribute to efforts to address these needs and challenges. The scope covers all the sectors of agriculture as defined by FAO, i.e. crop and livestock production, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture.

Author : Melissa Barrett,Massimo Marino,Francesca Brkic,Carlo Alberto Pratesi
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 169 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2023-10-30
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9781000995428

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How to Create a Sustainable Food Industry by Melissa Barrett,Massimo Marino,Francesca Brkic,Carlo Alberto Pratesi Pdf

This book presents a practical guide to help businesses navigate the complex topics of sustainability in the food industry. The book takes you on a journey along the food value chain, from farm to fork, exploring key opportunities to increase positive impacts and circularity at each step of the journey. Written by a team of authors with decades of experience in the food industry and academia, it provides guidance on how to analyse sustainability across the value chain and life cycle of a food product and how to design, implement and communicate strategies to customers. Furthermore, the book shows that there are not always straightforward solutions, but rather choices and trade-offs that require an understanding of what is best suited to the product, customers and business in question. It demystifies a variety of topics, such as local sourcing, regenerative agriculture, plant-based protein and the environmental impact of meat production, and draws on a wide range of case studies from across the globe, to provide concrete, real-world examples. While a perfect food system may not exist, informed decisions can go a long way to reshape and transform the food industry as we know it. This book will be of great interest to professionals working in the food and agriculture industries, as well as students and scholars of sustainable food systems and sustainable business.

Author : Jan Bebbington
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 172 pages
File Size : 55,7 Mb
Release : 2001-01-01
Category : Cost accounting
ISBN : 1859083528

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Full Cost Accounting by Jan Bebbington Pdf

Author : John Hoggett,John Medlin,Keryn Chalmers,Claire Beattie,Andreas Hellmann,Jodie Maxfield
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 1091 pages
File Size : 43,9 Mb
Release : 2023-09-15
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9781394184644

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Accounting, Print and Interactive E-Text by John Hoggett,John Medlin,Keryn Chalmers,Claire Beattie,Andreas Hellmann,Jodie Maxfield Pdf

A benchmark Accounting text over the past 30 years, Hoggett's Accounting has been refreshed in this twelfth edition. A must-have for students who want to succeed in their unit and leave with a rich foundation of technical knowledge for their future study and accounting career, the text focuses on accounting from the perspective of a financial statement preparer. With two versions being published, Hoggett's Financial Accounting can be used for either the typical one-semester course, or Hoggett's Accounting, with 6 additional introductory management accounting chapters, can extend to two-semesters. The eBook edition of Accounting, 12th Edition features a range of instructional media content designed to provide students with an interactive and engaging learning experience. This unique resource can also form the basis of a blended learning solution for lecturers.