Unleashing Sustainable Value in Food and Agriculture
Nearly all 350 surveyed food and agriculture executives said sustainability investments drive revenue growth and cost savings. Using survey data, interviews, and the Return on Sustainability (ROSI™) framework pioneered by the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business (CSB), this paper outlines seven key themes that can guide companies in identifying and maximizing value. Download executive summary
Deloitte and NYU Stern CSB partnered to understand the return on investment that food and agriculture companies can generate from sustainability investments. The survey of 350 senior executives from the US, the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany demonstrates that regardless of where an organization sits along the food value chain, sustainability strategies generate financial value. However, financial benefits and the projection of future value of sustainability strategies differ across value chain segments and geographies – the following interactive charts illustrate these differences while highlighting key report findings.
Select a data filter to update graphics. Filter allows to view data based on value chain or geography. Only one filter can be selected at the time.
Revenue Growth
of respondents saw at least 2% revenue growth from investing in sustainability strategies
*Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Cost Reduction
of respondents saw at least 2% cost reduction from investing in sustainability strategies
*Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
Organizations across geographies and the food value chain agree: sustainability drives value, generating both revenue and cost savings. Few respondents say they did not realize financial benefits from implementing sustainability strategies, while the majority saw significant financial benefits. The charts above illustrate the different values generated.
While executives agree that sustainability drives value today, they remain uncertain about the future. NYU created the ROSI™ framework to help navigate uncertainty, bridging the gap between sustainability strategies and financial performance. As organizations address complex sustainability challenges, we are poised to help make strategic decisions to unlock new organizational value.
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Get in touch
Ben Ninio
Principal, Sustainability Strategy & Transformation
Deloitte Consulting LLP
benninio@deloitte.com
Tensie Whelan
Distinguished Professor of Practice and Founding Director,
NYU Stern Center for
Sustainable Business
twhelan@stern.nyu.edu