Crops to Code: The role of data in fostering sustainable agricultural trade and responsible supply chains | Report with WWF
International trade underpins the global economy, fostering job creation, economic growth, and diverse goods and services. Embracing efficient, data-driven, and sustainable international trade will be crucial to combat biodiversity loss, address population growth, and tackle the climate crisis.
The UK Government is already developing policies to utilise trade data. However, to address the pressing issue of a broken food system that is detrimental to our planet, policymakers need to fully harness modern technology both within their own operations and through targeted investments.
As the regulatory focus on transparent supply chains and due diligence grows, we have partnered with WWF to explore technologies that can ensure sustainable sourcing practices and efficiently manage agricultural imports into the UK.
The report analyses various stages of agricultural trade, including production, processing and packaging, shipping and customs, and distribution to end consumers. It explores how different technologies can be employed at each stage to enhance sustainability and transparency in international trade. More specifically, we focus on:
- Connected devices such as drones and IoT sensors
- Geospatial technology such as Earth Observation
- Industrial robotics
- QR codes and barcodes
- Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) such as blockchain
- Cloud
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
The report features case studies illustrating the practical application of these technologies from companies such as Fujitsu, Dun & Bradstreet and Stuart.
Discover the role of data and technology in revolutionising agricultural trade in our animation, illustrating how innovative solutions enhance sustainability across every stage of the supply chain, from production to distribution:
Recommendations presented to the Government
In the report, techUK and WWF propose a series of recommendations to the UK Government, which include:
- Establishing a comprehensive set of core environmental standards for imported agri-food to enter the UK market. This measure aims to prevent the offshoring of environmental impacts and ensure that imports adhere to similar standards as domestic producers, thereby fostering fair competition and encouraging sustainable practices globally.
- Advocating for data interoperability within global supply chains to streamline compliance procedures across different jurisdictions, thereby facilitating smoother trade operations and enhancing transparency.
- Investing in upskilling programs to ensure that organisations of all sizes can effectively adapt to trade innovations, promoting economic resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market landscape.
- Directing investments towards domestic technology initiatives to position the UK as a frontrunner in trade technology, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth.
- Proactively endorsing the adoption of trade technology within governmental operations, demonstrating leadership in leveraging technological advancements to optimise trade processes and enhance efficiency.
Traceability of materials, processes and suppliers is increasingly recognised as a key enabler for those embarking on their sustainability journey. Not having a transparent supply chain leaves business leaders at risk of being hit with major brand and reputational damage that could – and should – be avoided
The advancements in available data and technology highlighted in this document can only serve to support the aim of creating a more sustainable and responsible international trade system. Dun & Bradstreet believes that globally consistent and accurate data, coupled with local expertise, can provide the required traceability and transparency throughout the whole supply chain to enable the tracking of a product’s journey from farm to fork. This insight can be used as a basis for making smarter decisions on trade and contributing to a more sustainable ecosystem.
techUK will continue collaborating with WWF, the Government, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure the establishment of comprehensive standards, upskilling initiatives, interoperability of data, and strategic investment in technology that will ultimately pave the path toward a more responsible and technologically-driven trade environment.
For more information, please contact:
Weronika Dorociak
Weronika Dorociak
Weronika joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Sustainability in October 2023.
Her role involves advocating for the tech sector in front of key policymakers and stakeholders. Weronika also leads the environmental and sustainability efforts within the Data Centres Group.
Prior to joining techUK, Weronika worked in public affairs and government relations in the legal sector, focusing on innovation and ESG within financial services. She also spent 2 years working as a Caseworker at Parliament. She holds a BA in Politics & International Relations from Queen Mary University of London.
Outside of work, Weronika can be found on a tennis court, at the gym, practicing yoga, or indulging in her love for Taylor Swift's music as a dedicated Swiftie.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/weronikaedorociak/
Daniel Clarke
Daniel Clarke
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
- Email:
- [email protected]
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Contact the team
Craig Melson
Craig Melson
Craig is Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability and leads on our work in these areas ranging from climate change, ESG disclosures and due diligence, through to circular economy, business and human rights, conflict minerals and post-Brexit regulation.
Prior to joining techUK he worked in public affairs and policy has an avid interest in new and emerging technologies. Craig has a degree in Ancient History from King’s College London and spends his time watching Watford FC and holding out hope for Half Life 3.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2172
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/craig-melson-25479936,https://uk.linkedin.com/in/craig-melson-25479936
Weronika Dorociak
Weronika Dorociak
Weronika joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Sustainability in October 2023.
Her role involves advocating for the tech sector in front of key policymakers and stakeholders. Weronika also leads the environmental and sustainability efforts within the Data Centres Group.
Prior to joining techUK, Weronika worked in public affairs and government relations in the legal sector, focusing on innovation and ESG within financial services. She also spent 2 years working as a Caseworker at Parliament. She holds a BA in Politics & International Relations from Queen Mary University of London.
Outside of work, Weronika can be found on a tennis court, at the gym, practicing yoga, or indulging in her love for Taylor Swift's music as a dedicated Swiftie.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/weronikaedorociak/
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Lucas Banach
Lucas Banach
Lucas Banach is Programme Assistant at techUK, he works on a range of programmes including Data Centres; Climate, Environment & Sustainability; Market Access and Smart Infrastructure and Systems.
Before that Lucas who joined in 2008, held various roles in our organisation, which included his role as Office Executive, Groups and Concept Viability Administrator, and most recently he worked as Programme Executive for Public Sector. He has a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the Andrzej Frycz-Modrzewski Cracow University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2006
- Twitter:
- @techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-banach-50139650
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