Sustainability Lessons For Procurement Leaders at WEF

Global food supply chains are under growing pressure from geopolitical changes, population growth, climate impacts, and environmental degradation.

To help businesses adapt, the World Economic Forum (WEF), in partnership with Bain & Company, has released a guiding report outlining how CEOs can address sustainability needs and secure the future of food supply.

Prioritising responsible procurement

In its latest whitepaper, First Movers Coalition for Food: CEO Lessons for the Future of Food Procurement, WEF examines the procurement pathways that could help solve global food supply chain challenges. Drawing on detailed Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) interviews and case studies, the report highlights how CEOs can leverage procurement strategies to mitigate supply chain risk.

Food supply systems were designed for stability, yet recent years have revealed their fragility. Climate disruptions, volatile economies, heightened geopolitical tensions, and rising demand are placing unprecedented strain on global food chains. Businesses are being pushed to adapt, as resilience and sustainability expectations rise daily. Consequently, procurement leaders must adopt more strategic sourcing approaches that shape long-term resilience.

“Proven solutions, from regenerative farming practices in row crops to water management and lower-methane approaches in rice, are ready to expand. Yet too many fail to move past the pilot stage,” note Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, and Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo.

“Often, what's missing is bold demand-side leadership: strong, credible buying commitments that unlock finance, align value chain partners and give farmers the confidence to invest.

“These approaches can be successful if they are accompanied by consistent dialogue with suppliers and farmers. The lessons outlined in this paper show that understanding their needs, recognising their challenges, supporting relevant services, building relationships and improving soil resilience are all integral to the future of food supply.”

The First Movers Coalition for Food (FMC for Food) brings together 60 prominent food-system organisations, including 26 major buyers with a combined revenue nearing US$1tn.

Its goal: to revolutionise food procurement by sharing practical insights and proven strategies for building supply chain resilience.

Food chain demands

The global food system supports over 40% of all jobs and contributes around 10% of global GDP. Yet instability now threatens these foundations as external shocks and systemic vulnerabilities disrupt operations. Industrialised agriculture has boosted productivity to meet growing demand but has also amplified systemic risks, driving resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and climate pressures.

WEF data shows agrifood systems generate nearly 30% of global emissions, cause 90% of tropical deforestation, and account for 70% of freshwater withdrawals.

Production volatility is intensifying. In 2025, coffee prices hit near 50-year highs after droughts devastated output in key regions. Brazil, producing about 40% of global supply, saw harvests destroyed, while Vietnam’s production fell 20% in 2024. Ongoing climate impacts are making yields and prices increasingly unpredictable.

Short-term efforts to satisfy demand have damaged long-term food resilience. Now, government, investor, and consumer expectations are converging on sustainable farming. Procurement teams are under growing pressure to redesign strategies that lower environmental impact while strengthening corporate appeal.

Sustainability and supply chain professionals can explore these themes at:

• Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit, QEII Centre, London, March 4–5

• Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21–22

These events, co-located with Sustainability LIVE, connect CSCOs, CSOs, and corporate leaders at a time when sustainability, commercial success, and resilient supply chains are more intertwined than ever. Group tickets and discounts are available online.

Making valuable changes

Consumer attitudes increasingly influence corporate strategy. A Bain & Company survey of 14,000 consumers across eight nations revealed that 63% would purchase sustainable products more often if they were more affordable. Another survey showed that 68% of buyers plan to prioritise suppliers with strong sustainability practices by 2028 — a sharp rise from 39% the previous year.

By acting early, procurement teams can seize market advantages and future-proof their sourcing strategies through:

• Building sourcing maturity to scale – applying a three-step maturity model to integrate resilient and sustainable sourcing through continuous learning and refinement.

• Identifying strategic sourcing pathways – choosing between spec-anchored (embedding sustainability into procurement specs) and decoupled sourcing (separating sustainability from specifications) to strengthen supplier engagement.

• Calibrating and prioritising strategies – analysing sourcing contexts to determine the best path toward resilience.

• Strengthening partnerships – fostering cross-functional collaboration to uncover new sustainability opportunities.

By planning ahead, procurement leaders can embed sustainability and resilience into their core sourcing priorities, paving the way for stronger strategies, deeper partnerships, and smarter decision-making for the food systems of tomorrow.