The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched a comprehensive Nature Handbook aimed at helping food and drink manufacturers and their supply chains address the critical challenge of global biodiversity loss. This new guidance is intended to provide practical steps for businesses of all sizes to understand their environmental footprint and take meaningful action towards nature restoration and nature-positive practices.

The handbook, co-authored with the Broadway Initiative, outlines how manufacturers can drive investment into nature restoration projects and implement regenerative farming practices, factors that are increasingly recognised as essential to sustaining supply chain resilience amid intensifying global environmental threats such as floods and droughts. It serves to guide firms from procurement choices to on-farm activity, helping them assess their impact on nature and embed strategies that promote biodiversity recovery throughout their operations.

This release is part of a broader FDF commitment to support the food and drink sector in its environmental responsibilities. It complements the federation’s earlier ‘Achieving Net Zero’ handbook, which assists companies in developing effective climate strategies across the value chain. Together, these resources promote an integrated approach to tackling both climate change and biodiversity loss, recognising the interconnectedness of these issues.

In addition to the handbook itself, the FDF is actively facilitating engagement and knowledge sharing through targeted events and workshops. For example, a ‘Nature Risk Workshop’ is planned to help businesses understand the risks related to nature loss and water scarcity in their direct operations and supply chains, as well as explore mitigation strategies. There are also webinars, including one in partnership with environmental consultancy Ricardo, focusing on initiating nature-related disclosures and integrating restoration activities into business planning, supporting the development of science-based targets for nature positivity.

The FDF’s initiative responds to increasing pressure on the food and drink industry to contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability goals. The Nature Handbook not only provides a roadmap towards achieving nature positivity by 2030 but also emphasises that the sector’s long-term viability is closely tied to the health of natural systems. By fostering investments in farming and nature, the guide aims to secure biodiversity and build resilience against environmental disruptions, aligning ecological restoration with sustainable food production.

Overall, the FDF’s Nature Handbook represents a significant step forward in equipping food and drink manufacturers with the tools and knowledge necessary to combat biodiversity loss, signalling a stronger industry commitment to nature-positive business models and sustainable growth.