RMS FOR PROTEIN SHIFT
Below are the Responsible Minimum Standards for the protein shift.
Mitigation standards:
1.1 | Acknowledge in public-facing policies that, on a global scale, protein production and consumption should transition from animal-based protein to plant-based and alternative protein sources, following common but differentiated responsibilities. |
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1.2 | Acknowledge that the protein shift can contribute to the progressive realization of the right to adequate food, as well as to improved food and nutrition security. |
1.3 | Acknowledge that the protein shift is essential for achieving a credible and timely pathway to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, promoting healthy diets and protecting biodiversity |
Mitigation standards:
2.1 | Set objectives to drive the protein shift, in line with a credible and timely pathway to net zero GHG emissions and the EAT-Lancet recommendations for a healthy diet. This should include objectives for phasing out food-feed competition. |
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2.2 | Require agri-food companies receiving financing or included in investment portfolios to establish objectives that drive the protein shift, aligning with a credible and timely pathway to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and the EAT-Lancet recommendations for healthy diets. |
Mitigation standards:
3.1 | Develop a strategy to achieve protein shift objectives, ensuring it prioritizes transformative changes over perpetuating the current system. For example, avoid supporting innovations such as insect farming for animal feed or large-scale biomethane production from manure, which reinforce existing practices rather than drive meaningful change. |
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3.2 | Include the protein shift in sustainability- and climate-related financing efforts; provide advantageous financing to applicable companies to incentivize this shift. |
3.3 | Engage, individually or collectively, with agri-food companies receiving financing or included in investment portfolios to align them with their protein transition objectives. If these efforts fail to achieve sufficient progress within established timelines, financial consequences should be implemented, including, if necessary, terminating the financial relationship. |
3.4 | Optimize financing and investment portfolios to align with the transition from animal-based proteins to plant-based and alternative protein sources. |
3.5 | Engage with relevant stakeholder groups and initiatives to support the protein shift. |
3.6 | If applicable, align internal procurement standards with protein shift goals. |
Mitigation standards:
4.1 | Monitor and annually publicly report on progress in relation to protein transition objectives. |
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4.2 | Require that agri-food companies in finance and/or investment portfolios monitor and annually publicly report on protein transition objectives. |
4.3 | Publicly report on allocation of investment and financing to agriculture, clearly outlining support for animal agriculture and feed versus financing and investments in plant-based crops and innovative alternatives. |