Experts call for sustainability reporting in agriculture

Speakers say LCA can identify environmental hotspots

FAISALABAD:

Climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation and rising energy demand are increasing the environmental costs of conventional production systems, highlighting the need for environmental due diligence, sustainability reporting and life cycle assessment (LCA) to identify risks, reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable agriculture and allied industries, experts said at a workshop at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

The workshop on "Environmental Due Diligence, Sustainability Reporting and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)" was organised by the UAF Department of Rural Sociology in collaboration with Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK, and Fruit of Sustainability (SMC-Private) Limited under the UKRI-funded Super-Efficient Sustainable Cooling Solution for All Applications (S2Cool) project.

Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad of Northumbria University, who leads the S2Cool project, highlighted the importance of international research collaboration in developing innovative responses to extreme heat and energy challenges. He said such technologies could have wider applications in agriculture, food preservation and supply-chain efficiency amid a changing climate.

Dr Sadaf Mahmood, chairperson of the Department of Rural Sociology, stressed the need for practical knowledge of environmental assessment, sustainability reporting and climate-conscious decision-making. She said scientific research should be translated into practical solutions for farmers, industries and communities.

Dr Asif Kamran said environmental assessment should not be confined to industrial activities as agriculture was closely linked with soil, water, energy, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions. He said improved environmental information could help identify resource-efficient farming practices and technologies while supporting long-term food and environmental security.

Industrialist Nasir Zia said reliable environmental data was essential for identifying risks and measuring progress in reducing environmental footprints. He highlighted the importance of environmental due diligence in making production and investment decisions more environmentally responsible.

Sarim Mehmood, CEO and founder of Fruit of Sustainability, said environmental sustainability should be integrated into business decisions, product development and supply chains rather than treated as a separate activity.