Food Systems and Sustainability

Welcome to the October edition of our sustainable business newsletter!?

This month, our opening note is focused on food security and food systems shaping changes across the globe. As we commemorated?World Food Day on Thursday, October 16, 2024 which was themed, ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future’, discussions, reports and evaluations spotlighted the need to facilitate the right to accessible, affordable and varied healthy diet and nutrition for all.

The?2024 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR) published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), indicates that 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet, and too many people suffer from hunger with 1 in 11 people going to bed hungry every day. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group's?recent policy brief titled "Status of Food Security: Dimensioning the Crisis, Policy Options, and Strategic Responses," pointed out urgent interventions that must be taken to address the food crises in Nigeria and in other parts of Africa with a view to developing a comprehensive approach to alleviating hunger and offering practical solutions.?

The LBS Sustainability Centre and several partners will be taking this important topic as a mainstream theme of our flagship convening, the LBS International Sustainability Conference (ISC), holding on November 28 and 29, 2024. This year's ISC is themed 'Building Africa’s Future: Integrating Sustainability, Equity, and Innovation'. As always the cross-sectoral dialogue to action forum will?deliver a remarkable impact through knowledge dissemination and best practice business showcases from Africa to the world. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Next, in this body of the newsletter, you will find news on programme impacts, corporate sustainability trends, circular economy plans and much more. Enjoy your read!

News from LBS

The Naija Youth Sustainability Forum 2024, LBSSC and Partners host youth in four Cities at forum?themed "Youth Resilience: Adapting, Thriving, and Leading,"?a memorable and impactful event.?Learn more here.?

The Sustainable Finance Summit, hosted by Stanbic IBTC and Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, emphasized using sustainable finance to boost Africa’s economic growth, social progress, and environmental stewardship. ?Learn more here.?

Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) and Federal Ministry of Environment mark a new Circular Economy phase with the launch of the Nigeria Plastic Action Roadmap?on Thursday, October 17, in Abuja.?Learn more here.

LBSSC partners with Lafarge Africa Plc for the firm's 2024 Lafarge Sustainability Week which commenced with a webinar on AI-Powered Sustainability Transformation in Construction on Monday, October 28, 2024.?Learn more here.?

World Food Day

World Food Day: How the new MADE Alliance will use digital technologies to help farmers in Africa feed the continent.?Learn more here

Itel Nigeria and Lagos Food Bank Celebrate World Food Day with Over 1,000 Students at Mawumadoka Orphans and Less Privileged School/Home.?Learn more here

Corporate Sustainability In Practice

MTN Nigeria launches West Africa’s first eco-friendly biodegradable SIM Cards. Learn more here

Nestlé unveils eco-friendlier packaging for Golden Morn Cereal Brand to enhance recyclability. Learn more here

Lafarge Africa Plc launched a new product, ECOPlanet Unicem to enable low-carbon construction at scale. Learn more here

African Development Bank and Absa Partner to Boost Funding for Women, Youth, and SMEs Across Africa.?Learn more here.

Circular Economy

ALPLA discusses the benefits of plastic.?Learn more here

Nigeria NPAP, CBP, host Sensitization Workshop on The National Plastic Action Roadmap for business stakeholders in Lagos, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Learn more here

The R15 billion economy in South Africa rising from the trash?.?Learn more here

Sustainability in Trade and Finance

For the first time, ICC defines sustainable trade finance.?Learn more here.

Finance guide could spur extra $200 billion for sustainable development, JPMorgan says. Learn more here.

The World Bank Group and Partners Launch Sustainable Finance Knowledge Center for Francophone Africa?Learn more here

Sustainable Energy

Nigerian Breweries, Konexa sign renewable energy deal for Lagos, Ama operations?.?Learn more here

IEA Forecasts $110 Billion Investment in Africa’s Energy Sector in 2024?.?Learn more here

Research Insights

Risk & Resilience Review: Green Algorithms - AI and sustainability.?Learn more here.

Finance and Investment in Africa: Trends and Opportunities for Securing Africa’s Ecological Futures.?Learn more here.

Whats happening with the SDGs

#SDG16 -?Innocent Chukwuma Social Impact (ICSI) Youth Fellowship opens Call for Application for Justice Cohort 2025. The Fellowship is in line with the SDG 16 Goal?of providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.???Learn more here

Final Impact Disclosure Guidance Released, Aimed to Scale Financing for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.?Learn more here

The SG's Report 'Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' is live.?Learn more here

Upcoming Event

Register here for the CSEAR Conference