JBS announces wide-ranging 'support for the Amazon'
The company’s Responsible Raw Material Sourcing policy includes a monitoring programme consisting of daily online analysis covering more than 50,000 cattle supplier ranches and farms. It says its commitment to zero deforestation in the Biome has produced results, however, “we know we can do more”.
The pillars of the Together for the Amazon programme are responsible value chain development, forest conservation and restoration, support for local communities in the Amazon and scientific research and technology development.
The first pillar consists of three key initiatives. The first of these is the JBS Green Platform, a blockchain platform that will enable the company to track the providers of livestock to its direct suppliers in the supply chain by 2025. The platform will cross-reference data regarding the company’s suppliers with livestock transportation data to boost traceability.
The company will launch campaigns for engaging with suppliers and other interested parties to ensure that all suppliers in the supply chain are included in the JBS Green Platform by 2025.
The second initiative is the sharing of the company’s supplier monitoring technology and its responsible sourcing policy with the value chain, including the entire food industry, livestock producers, family farmers, financial institutions and the agribusiness sector.
The third initiative will provide farmers and ranchers with environmental, animal husbandry and legal support to help producers improve the stewardship of their land. JBS will expand its sustainability educational activities for livestock suppliers and increase investments to develop digital platforms that help ensure properties can gain compliance with the company’s policies.
The company has also launched the JBS Fund For The Amazon, a philanthropic fund that will finance important projects and actions to stimulate sustainable development in the Amazon Biome. JBS will contribute R$ 250 million (£35 million) over the first five years, and as much R$ 500 million by 2030.
JBS will invite its stakeholders to contribute to the fund, and has agreed to match third-party contributions. The ambition is for the fund to reach R$ 1 billion by 2030.
Photo by Mike Suarez C. on Unsplash
