Shaping policy: GRI 13's timely launch andimplications for the U.S. Farm Bill

BackgroundAs a preeminent international sustainability standards-setting organization, GRI is
innovating the corporate sustainability reporting landscape through its sector-specificstandards. The newest GRI Sector Standard, GRI 13: Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing2022, focuses on three of the world's cornerstone industries with profound impacts onsustainable development. Released in June 2022 and effective from 1 January 2024its
launch concurrent with emerging sustainability legislations such as the update of thecurrent U.S. Farm Bill which expired in September and was extended by Congress for one
more year this past November.
U.S. Farm Bill: objectives and political landscape
The U.S. Farm Bill, an omnibus legislation package, spans the entirety of the U.S. foodsystem, impacting farming livelihoods, production methods, and the types of foods grownnationwide. Passed approximately every five years since the 1930s, the Farm Bill has
significant implications for agriculture in the U.S. The draft of the impending Bill is
expected to incorporate numerous new clauses, particularly those centered on combatingclimate change and promoting equity. Companies within sectors governed by the new Billwill will need a comprehensive understanding of their social and environmental risks andimpacts, as well as the processes and capabilities to manage them effectively.

Evolving Sustainability Ambitions and Action
Societal and regulatory demands for environmental monitoring and reporting regulations
have significantly increased in recent years. As the U.S. reinforces its focus on sustainable
development across various sectors, this nexus is particularly significant for agriculture.
Historically shaping agricultural policies, the U.S. Farm Bill sets out to be at the forefront ofdriving these changes.
This may manifest in enhanced subsidies and support mechanisms that encourage
farmers to adopt more sustainable practices. In tandem with global sustainability priorities,
the Farm Bill positions the U.S. to set a precedent for future agricultural policies worldwide.
GRI 13's Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture
Despite global advocacy for improved sustainability in agriculture, this sector has minimal
sustainability-related disclosures. A gap analysis study performed by a cohort ofSustainability Management graduate students at Columbia University, targeting 100 of thelargest public and private companies and cooperatives in the US, revealed that over 47%of the publicly listed companies analyzed in this sector do not disclose any sustainabilityrelated information. The lack of this information can limit effective policy efforts andconsequently hinder global progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). To increase the completeness and comparability of sustainability
information, GRI 13 provides guidance on disclosures for organizations worldwide involvedin crop cultivation, animal production, aquaculture, and/or fishing.
Integration of GRI 13 into Policymaking
The GRI Sector Program is founded upon the mission to cultivate Sector Standards,
offering authoritative insights into the facets that embody a sector's most profound impacts
from a sustainable development standpoint. The Sector Standards aim to encapsulate
stakeholders’ expectations for comprehensive sustainability reporting within an industry,
directing the focus toward the impacts that hold paramount significance. In alignment withthis ethos, the GRI 13 Standard for the agriculture sector emerges as a pioneering force,encompassing over 26 material topics that meticulously address the industry's diverse andcritical sustainability dimensions.
Stakeholders in the U.S. Farm Bill Policy Process, ranging from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to farm organizations and environmental groups, canleverage GRI 13's detailed insights for informed decision-making.Integrating GRI 13's
material topics into current and future policy frameworks is essential for enhanced
decision-making with specific data, prioritizing key sustainability issues, addressing policygaps, and building a foundation for future policies. Policymakers can incentivize GRI 13
adoption through tax benefits, subsidies, or industry-specific incentives, reinforcing thesymbiotic relationship between robust reporting standards and effective policy
implementation.
Navigating the Dynamic Landscape with GRI 13
In the dynamic landscape of agricultural policymaking, the significance of GRI 13 is crucialfor policymakers, providing wise insights to navigate and regulate the sector judiciously.

The sector targets equip policymakers with a nuanced understanding, acting as a guide tosteer sustainable production systems toward optimal outcomes. It's important to note that
33% of emissions and 80% of biodiversity loss come from agriculture. This highlights theneed for transparent data, pushing for rules that benefit farmers and improve food security.
GRI 13 can play a pivotal role in assisting policymakers in tackling environmental andsocial quandaries within the industry. For instance, policymakers aspire to craft policies
that guarantee sufficient water resources for all stakeholders, thereby alleviating conflicts
and fortifying the resilience of intersectional rural communities (like IndigenousAmericans).
Effective policy implementation can also be tangibly demonstrated through the allocationof funds in the U.S. Farm Bill , where a mere 6.8% of the total $428 Billion budget isdedicated to conservation practices. By leveraging the influence of GRI 13, there ispotential to advocate for a strategic reallocation of this budget. Increasing investment insustainability within the agricultural sector to ensure food security, resilience against
climate disasters, and improved nutrition, areas that take over 85% of the current spend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the integration of GRI 13: Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing 2022 into theU.S. policy framework, particularly with the upcoming U.S. Farm Bill, marks atransformative step in agricultural sustainability. As policymakers grapple with thechallenges of climate change and social equity, GRI 13 emerges as a crucial tool,
providing comprehensive insights and data-driven guidance. Its introduction aligns
seamlessly with the evolving landscape of the U.S. Farm Bill, which is increasingly focusedon sustainable and regenerative farming practices. They both also align with global
sustainability trends, propelling the U.S. agriculture sector to the forefront of environmental
responsibility and setting a benchmark for future agricultural policies. This synergy not only
enhances the effectiveness of the Farm Bill but also contributes significantly to global
efforts in achieving the SDGs, demonstrating the power of collaborative, data-driven
policymaking in fostering a sustainable future.