CLIMATE ACTION IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Forliance helps the Food & Beverage industry advance towards climate resilience through data-driven strategies and nature-based climate solutions: optimize.

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HOW FORLIANCE SUPPORTS THE FOOD & BEVERAGE SECTOR IN CLIMATE STRATEGIES

 

In the dynamic world of fast moving consumer goods, climate impact and resource efficiency are now business-critical. Supply chains stretch across continents, packaging cycles are short, and consumer demand for transparency is rising. As brands seek to build trust while meeting ESG goals, they face complex sustainability challenges — from Scope 3 emissions to responsible sourcing. 

FORLIANCE helps FMCG companies turn these pressures into opportunities. With a strategic blend of carbon accounting, stakeholder engagement, and nature-based climate projects, FORLIANCE equips your organization to lead with credibility, reduce climate risks, and shape a resilient future. 

KEY CLIMATE CHALLENGES IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE SECTOR

Complex supply chains and high upstream emissions

Food & beverage companies operate within highly fragmented and globalized supply chains, often involving agricultural producers, processors, and distributors. This complexity makes it difficult to account for Scope 3 emissions — especially those from sourcing, packaging, and transport. A structured approach to carbon footprinting and active supplier engagement is key to creating more transparent, resilient, and low-carbon value chains.

Perishable products and resource intensity

Short shelf lives and high product turnover lead to significant food waste and energy consumption across the value chain. From cold storage to transportation and disposal, inefficiencies result in environmental impact and financial loss. Integrating lifecycle analysis and waste reduction strategies can minimize resource use while aligning with sustainability and efficiency goals.

Growing regulatory pressure on disclosure and compliance

With frameworks like the CSRD and evolving food safety and environmental standards, food & beverage companies face increasing demands for transparent, auditable sustainability reporting. FORLIANCE supports businesses with tailored reporting solutions aligned to EU taxonomy, helping them meet compliance and maintain investor and consumer trust.

Rising consumer demand for transparency and sustainability

Consumers are increasingly mindful of where their food comes from, how it's produced, and its environmental footprint. This creates both reputational risk and opportunity. Clear climate communication, credible emissions reductions, and investments in certified projects can help brands meet expectations and build long-term customer loyalty.

Internal alignment and strategic integration

Sustainability efforts often remain isolated across procurement, production, and marketing teams. Without a unified climate strategy, initiatives can lose impact or momentum. FORLIANCE helps organizations embed sustainability across operations — connecting departments through a common roadmap to Net Zero.

Inconsistent climate data and lack of benchmarking

The fast-moving nature of the food sector can result in fragmented or incomplete emissions data. This hinders progress tracking and decision-making. By implementing standardized CO₂ assessments and setting clear climate KPIs, companies can benchmark performance and drive effective, measurable climate action.

DRIVING CLIMATE ACTION THROUGH IMPACTFUL STRATEGIES

OUR SOLUTION

 

Emissions Analysis & Reporting

FORLIANCE offers data-driven tools to quantify emissions across all scopes, providing FMCG companies with a robust baseline to set science-based targets and monitor emission reductions over time. 

CSRD-Aligned Reporting Support 

We help FMCG clients translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable reporting structures, ensuring full CSRD compliance and alignment with evolving EU standards. 

Stakeholder Communication Strategy

By co-developing compelling sustainability narratives backed by science, FORLIANCE helps FMCG brands engage internal teams and external stakeholders with confidence and credibility. 

Climate Project Development

Our nature-based climate projects are tailored to the values and footprint of FMCG companies, creating real, traceable impact while supporting biodiversity and local communities. 

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Case Study from Barry Callebaut

 

FORLIANCE partnered with Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s leading cocoa and chocolate producers, to support their climate ambition of achieving science-based targets. Our collaboration began with a detailed carbon footprint assessment of the company’s own operations and supply chain emissions. Based on this analysis, we provided guidance on climate action pathways in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

To complement reduction efforts, we supported Barry Callebaut in identifying and investing in certified nature-based climate solutions that align with their broader sustainability commitments. This partnership demonstrates how data-driven climate strategies and credible project investments can contribute to more resilient agricultural supply chains and meaningful climate impact in the food sector.

Explore the Barry Callebaut Case Study
GET YOUR CONSULTING FOR THE FOOD & BEVERGAE INDUSTRY

With deep expertise in the FMCG sector, FORLIANCE helps you turn complex climate challenges into actionable, industry-ready solutions — start your transformation today. 

Milan Pal, Manager Partnerships Development
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FAQs ON CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR THE FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

 

How can food & beverage companies reduce their Scope 3 emissions?

In the food & beverage sector — a key segment of the broader FMCG industry — Scope 3 emissions often stem from agriculture, land-use change, packaging, and logistics. These indirect emissions typically account for the largest share of a company's carbon footprint. 

FORLIANCE supports businesses in mapping their full emissions landscape, engaging suppliers, and integrating climate targets into sourcing and procurement policies. Such strategies not only reduce emissions but also improve supply chain resilience and future-proof sourcing models.

What role do nature-based solutions play in food & beverage climate strategies?

Nature-based solutions (NbS) such as reforestation, agroforestry, and regenerative agriculture are particularly relevant for food & beverage companies sourcing ingredients like cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and dairy. These projects enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and soil health while supporting farming communities. 

FORLIANCE designs and certifies high-integrity NbS projects aligned with corporate ESG goals. By integrating NbS into climate strategies, FMCG brands in the food sector can demonstrate real impact and elevate sustainability narratives across markets.

How can sustainability be embedded into short product cycles?

Fast product development and seasonal demand are hallmarks of the FMCG-driven food & beverage industry. Embedding sustainability early in the product lifecycle — from ingredient sourcing to packaging and distribution — is crucial. FORLIANCE supports lifecycle assessments (LCAs), helping companies identify emissions hotspots and implement improvements across product design, packaging, and end-of-life. This proactive integration supports compliance, strengthens brand credibility, and meets the expectations of eco-conscious consumers.

What reporting standards must food & beverage companies follow?

Food & beverage brands — like other FMCG companies — are increasingly subject to regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its associated European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). These standards require structured disclosures on emissions, climate risks, and Net Zero plans. FORLIANCE offers end-to-end support for climate disclosure, including emissions accounting, materiality assessments, and roadmap development. Our approach ensures full alignment with evolving regulatory and investor expectations.

How can FORLIANCE support global supply chains in the food sector?

Food & beverage supply chains span continents and rely heavily on raw materials from smallholder producers. FORLIANCE works across these global value chains — from farm-level cooperatives to multinational buyers — to enhance data quality, traceability, and climate impact. We implement localized mitigation and adaptation strategies, supported by our global project portfolio and international verification standards. This ensures your sustainability efforts are credible, scalable, and aligned with your FMCG climate goals.

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+49 (0) 228-969 119 – 0
info@forliance.com

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