Global food systems are often based on exploitative mechanisms that are detrimental to people and nature. We work with agri-food companies, NGOs and government bodies to address social and environmental issues within global agri-food value chains. Through our work and projects, we strive to enable a resilient food system transition in which food is sourced, produced, processed and consumed responsibly and sustainably.
Impact management and strategy
Assigning monetary value to social and environmental impact, our projects focus on bridging the gap between sustainability and finance departments enabling holistic decision-making and building future proof business models for the food system transition. Through this way of working can also help with:
- Impact target setting & policy making
- Procurement decisions
- Supplier relations
- Monitoring and evaluation of sustainability efforts
Impact measurement and reporting
We have 12+ years’ experience of measuring the impact of global value chains, including impact materiality analyses, value chain mapping and collecting data (whether through surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, international databases, client databases or desk research). Our work includes:
- Software and data solutions for access to agri-food impact data and insights
- Living income assessment
- Non-financial impact assessments
- Support with sustainability regulation such as: CSRD and CSDDD
Priority areas
CSRD and CSDDD compliance
Our expertise in the food system transition and experience with supporting companies tackle their environmental and social impact, equips us perfectly to ensure seamless regulatory compliance with regulations such as CSRD and CSDDD.
Fair working conditions
We ensure meeting the criteria of human rights at work in the food system transition; no child labour, farmers receive a fair in come and living wages, gender equality is met and health and safety is guaranteed. Read more on how we safeguard human rights in our work on our Human Rights page.
Biodiversity and soil health
We consider biodiversity and soil health in all our food system transition work. We also pay attention to land and water use, themes around agri-food and regenerative farming. Read more on how we safeguard biodiversity in our work on our Biodiversity Knowledge Base.
Sustainable protein acceleration
Whilst meat and dairy play a major role in diets, they come with social and environmental costs. Exploring dietary shifts and accelerating alternative proteins is crucial for the food system transition. We specialise in impact assessments on the protein transition, we are involved in the EU funded Like-a-Pro project and assessed the costs to society of animal sourced foods in the EU.
Partnerships & Clients
The True Value of Food Initiative (TVFI) was launched at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in 2021 by, among other stakeholders, Impact Institute, True Price Foundation and the UNFSS Scientific Group, and is allied to the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.
The main objective is to unlock the potential of the True Value of Food for governments, businesses, investors, and consumers by providing them with a new economic basis for decision-making for the food system transition.
The Global Partnership on True Price of Food (GPTPF) enables actors in the food sector to embrace and apply true pricing on a large scale. The goal is to provide governments and businesses with the tools they need to make healthy, sustainable and affordable food available for all through true pricing.
“Impact Institute succeeds in making impact tangible through strong figures, graphs and images”
“Impact Institute delivers thorough work and is able to translate complex subject matter in a clear way. They succeed in making impact tangible through strong figures, graphs and images. They adapt to client requests and unforeseen circumstances. All this in a highly constructive and pleasant atmosphere. We will work with the (new) insights to increase our impact.”
Karen Janssens
Expert Sustainable Sourcing
Who we help
Selection of our clients
Publications
DownloadValuing the hidden costs in palm oil production
Report by True Price, Trucost and RSPO, commissioned by UNEP Teeb Creating a methodology to improve strategy for a sustainable…
DownloadThe true price of Dutch bread
In 2018, Bakkerij van Vessem wanted to have more insight into the true costs of their ‘Hollandsch Brood’.
DownloadEstimating farmer household income
To further their goals, LICoP asked Impact Institute to draft a methodology for calculating the actual income of farmers.
DownloadScaling up the Beyond Chocolate initiative
This paper reports the scalability and long-term risks and benefits of the Beyond Chocolate initiative, a programme seven members of…
