About the data
The WBA Food and Agriculture Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential food and agriculture companies on their efforts to transform global food systems, tracking how companies work towards food that is healthy and nutritious, produced sustainably within planetary boundaries, and accessible and fairly produced for all. The 2026 edition assessed 350 companies spanning the entirety of the food and agriculture value chain, from agricultural inputs and commodities through to manufacturing, retail, and food service. Companies were scored on 23 food and agriculture-specific indicators and 18 core social indicators across four measurement areas: governance, sustainable food systems, healthy food systems, and inclusive food systems. The benchmark is developed in close collaboration with an Expert Review Committee and is designed to incentivise the most influential companies in the sector to adopt sustainable business practices across their own operations and supply chains, addressing critical issues including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, freshwater use, nutrition, and living incomes for farmers, with human rights and social equity at its core. More information can be found here.
Methodology
According to the United Nations, nearly two-thirds of the global population experiences
severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, and over two billion people live in countries with
inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and by
2040, one in four children may live in areas with extreme water stress. Food systems account for
approximately 70% of freshwater withdrawals globally (FAO, 2021b, Willet et al., 2019). This
underscores the significant role companies play in water consumption and the need for sustainable
and transparent water management practices.
Research Guidance:
The company must set a target on its water withdrawal OR water consumption that covers at least its own operations (including aggregated targets, e.g. reducing total net water consumption). If the target covers only a subset of the company‚s operations or value chain (e.g. a specific water basin; specific water-stressed areas), it should be methodologically justified.
For a list of methodologies the companies could use, refer to element (d).
Targets must be timebound, with a defined baseline value and year, and include clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics. They should focus on short-term progress up to 2030, with any longer-term goals broken down into interim targets no more than five years apart. Intensity targets are not accepted, as they do not ensure absolute improvements. Year-on-year targets and qualitative targets may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on their ambition and measurability. Any changes to targets or their underlying assumptions must be explained, particularly in terms of impact on comparability. Additionally, targets aimed solely at maintaining current performance are not accepted.
severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, and over two billion people live in countries with
inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and by
2040, one in four children may live in areas with extreme water stress. Food systems account for
approximately 70% of freshwater withdrawals globally (FAO, 2021b, Willet et al., 2019). This
underscores the significant role companies play in water consumption and the need for sustainable
and transparent water management practices.
Research Guidance:
The company must set a target on its water withdrawal OR water consumption that covers at least its own operations (including aggregated targets, e.g. reducing total net water consumption). If the target covers only a subset of the company‚s operations or value chain (e.g. a specific water basin; specific water-stressed areas), it should be methodologically justified.
For a list of methodologies the companies could use, refer to element (d).
Targets must be timebound, with a defined baseline value and year, and include clear, quantitative, and measurable metrics. They should focus on short-term progress up to 2030, with any longer-term goals broken down into interim targets no more than five years apart. Intensity targets are not accepted, as they do not ensure absolute improvements. Year-on-year targets and qualitative targets may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, depending on their ambition and measurability. Any changes to targets or their underlying assumptions must be explained, particularly in terms of impact on comparability. Additionally, targets aimed solely at maintaining current performance are not accepted.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report