How they sell the BBB to dutch farmers (keep them dumb)
The corona pandemic exposes more than ever the weakness of our food system. That is the firm belief of Paul Polman, the former top executive of Unilever.
He was the keynote speaker Wednesday at the conference 'Pioneering the new normal' at Eosta in Waddinxveen. Eosta is a distributor of fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
The conference was about the future of food and entrepreneurship in the 'post-corona era'. The various speakers hope that a new normal will emerge in which companies are not only guided by profit, but also take into account social and ecological aspects.
On the mat ('
put on the spot')
And this, according to the participants, is already underway. Reference was made to large companies being taken to task by the courts, as in the case of Milieudefensie against Shell. Germany has a draft law ready that imposes a social duty of care on companies. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is calling for a "Great Reset" in which human, social and environmental health are made a priority of the economy.
The hope among attendees is that the short-termism of shareholders will stop. 'We need to start working with a profit definition where people, society and the environment all win,' said CEO Volkert Engelsman of Eosta.
Leadership required
According to Polman, it takes courageous leadership. 'CEOs must realize that they are not working for themselves or their shareholders, but for the future of humanity. Companies that give more than they take are rare.'
Polman is hopeful that change will come quickly. 'Covid-19 has shown that we can take action very quickly, if the need is felt. Can we also harness that feeling to address climate change and the other development goals?'
De coronapandemie legt meer dan ooit de zwakte van ons voedselsysteem bloot. Dat is de stellige overtuiging van Paul Polman, de voormalig topman van Unilever.
www.nieuweoogst.nl
farmer news site. Energy prices are 3x up since last year.