Sustainable development and stakeholder engagement in the agri‐food sector: Exploring the nexus between biodiversity conservation and information technology

Self Cite

Circular economy (CE) has attracted both media and academic interest. However, there is a lack of empirical work that clarifies the specific activities involved in CE at the firm level. To fill this gap, this article offers an analysis of how firms disclose information about their activities associated with CE, based on an extensive worldwide dataset of sustainability reports from 1367 companies. The findings point to a rather limited, superficial and reductionist use of the concept of CE by firms. The concept of CE is only mentioned in around 16% of cases, and, when it is mentioned, it is mostly associated with conventional practices such as waste management and recycling.Conversely, core practices associated with CE, such as reduction, reuse, and remanufacture, are rarely considered. Further avenues for research and implications for managers, public policy makers and other stakeholders are discussed.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular economy at the company level: An empirical study based on sustainability reports

Saizarbitoria

Boiral

Testa

2023

Self Cite

“…Over the past 30 years, most terrestrial ecosystems in Africa have experienced large biodiversity losses. Conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural lands and urban areas is the main cause of these losses (Aké & Boiral, 2022). CC exacerbates biodiversity loss and could result in significant losses of plant species, as well as over half of some bird and mammal species in the region (IPBES, 2018).…”

Section: Changes In Ecosystem Conditionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The climate and land use change nexus: Implications for designing adaptation and conservation investment strategies in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Bosma

Hein

2023

Climate change and land use change are two global and interacting forces of change that have wide‐reaching effects on socio‐ecological systems. Despite their interconnectedness, the two are mostly considered separately in investment programs. Therefore, without an integrated systemic approach that considers these interactions, we will fail to achieve the ambitions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating the Driver‐Pressure‐State‐Impact‐Response framework and the System of Environmental‐Economic Accounts Ecosystem Accounting, this paper assesses how the interlinkages between climate change and land use change can be jointly considered in the design of climate adaptation and ecosystem conservation investments. The analysis points to the following priorities for interventions in an integrated approach: forest conservation, protection of peatlands, climate‐smart agriculture, and restoration of degraded lands. The paper furthermore suggests a set of systemic investment principles that can contribute to capital allocation for climate adaptation and conservation.

“…For example, a recent report by Crippa et al (2021) showed that the food system is responsible for 34% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. As such, firms are subject to strong pressure from various stakeholders to take responsibility for their actions, possibly not only enhancing their reputation and economic performance (ECOP) but also reducing their environmental footprint (Aké, et al, 2023; Grimm et al, 2014; Luque‐Vílchez et al, 2023). For instance, in 2015, the reputation of firms such as Cargill, Tyson, and Yara suffered because of their contributions to climate impact (Levitt, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic capabilities and sustainability performance: Exploring the moderating role of environmental dynamism in the Norwegian fishing industry

Harun

Hogset

Mwesiumo

2023

This study examines the effect of dynamic capabilities (DCs) on economic performance (ECOP), social performance (SOP), and environmental performance (ENVP) under different levels of environmental dynamism (EnvD). Based on preliminary interviews and survey data collected from Norwegian fishing firms, the analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling and necessary conditions analysis. The results show that firms that acquire a set of DCs are more likely to improve their economic, social, and environmental sustainability performance. More so, firms' economic performance is a necessary condition for social performance, but not for ENVP. Interestingly, the results show that the effect of DCs on economic and environmental sustainability performance is even stronger when the level of EnvD is higher. However, EnvD does not have a significant effect on the relationship between DCs and social sustainability performance. Our findings provide guidance to managers on how and when to invest in and leverage DCs to improve sustainability performance in the food industry.