{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox organization | name = FAIRR | image = | image_size = | abbreviation = FAIRR | formation = 2015 | founder = Jeremy Coller | type = NGO | status = Non-profit initiative | purpose = Address ESG risks in the global food and agriculture sector | headquarters = London, United Kingdom | region_served = Global | key_people = Abigail Herron (Executive Director)<br>Fiona Reynolds (President) | parent_organization = Jeremy Coller Foundation | membership = 400+ institutional investors | website = https://www.fairr.org }}
'''FAIRR''' (formerly the ''Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative'') is a network of institutional investors focused on environmental, social and governance issues in the global food and agriculture sector. Founded in 2015 by investor Jeremy Coller, the initiative conducts research and coordinated engagement campaigns on topics including antimicrobial resistance, climate risk and livestock supply-chain practices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Grene |first=Sophia |date=2016-04-10 |title=Private equity executive fights antibiotic risks in farming |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3bfd4e6e-fa7d-11e5-b3f6-11d5706b613b |website=Financial Times |access-date=2025-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2023-11-26 |title=Eat Less Meat Is Message for Rich World in Food’s First Net Zero Plan |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-26/eat-less-meat-is-message-for-rich-world-in-food-s-first-net-zero-plan |website=Bloomberg |access-date=2025-04-10}}</ref> FAIRR has expanded to more than 400 investor members and is based in London, operating as part of the Jeremy Coller Foundation.
== History == FAIRR was founded in 2015 by private equity investor Jeremy Coller to provide research and engagement tools for investors concerned about sustainability risks in livestock industries. Initially comprising 40 institutional investors, including Aviva, Robeco and Nordea, FAIRR subsequently expanded its scope to include broader food system issues such as biodiversity loss, climate risk, antibiotic resistance, and deforestation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levitt |first=Tom |date=3 March 2016 |title=Factory farming divestment: what you need to know |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/mar/03/factory-farming-divestment-explain |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 April 2016 |title=Private equity executive fights antibiotic risks in farming |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3bfd4e6e-fa7d-11e5-b3f6-11d5706b613b |website=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2017 |title=Investors worth trillions are putting pressure on food companies to serve more fake meat |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/fairr-jeremy-coller-animal-welfare-2017-5 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>
== Operations == AIRR comprises over 400 investor members. The organisation reports that its members collectively manage approximately $90 trillion in assets.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025 |title=Network Members |url=https://www.fairr.org/about/network-members |website=FAIRR Initiative |access-date=2025-11-27}}</ref><ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Mathieu |first=Henry |date=31 March 2023 |title=Climate risks to cause operating losses for major livestock groups, FAIRR reports |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/climate-risks-to-cause-operating-losses-for-major-livestock-groups-fairr-reports/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Just Food |language=en-US}}</ref> FAIRR facilitates collaborative investor engagements, publishes research, coordinates policy advocacy, and engages with regulators, industry groups, and non-governmental organisations to enhance sustainability across food supply chains.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathieu |first=Henry |date=31 March 2023 |title=Climate risks to cause operating losses for major livestock groups, FAIRR reports |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/climate-risks-to-cause-operating-losses-for-major-livestock-groups-fairr-reports/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Just Food |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Natasha |date=23 May 2023 |title=Fairr targets fast food giants with AMR engagement |url=https://esgclarity.com/investor-network-urges-fast-food-giants-to-tackle-bacteria-threat/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=ESG Clarity |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Buallay |first=Amina |date=1 January 2021 |title=Sustainability reporting and agriculture industries' performance: worldwide evidence |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-10-2020-0247 |journal=Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=769–790 |doi=10.1108/JADEE-10-2020-0247 |issn=2044-0839|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== Programmes and initiatives ==
=== Investor engagement campaigns === FAIRR coordinates investor engagement programmes addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in global food production. Its early campaigns focused on antimicrobial resistance, protein diversification and waste management in intensive livestock supply chains.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Eat Less Meat Is Message for Rich World in Food's First Net Zero Plan |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-26/eat-less-meat-is-message-for-rich-world-in-food-s-first-net-zero-plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115150446/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-26/eat-less-meat-is-message-for-rich-world-in-food-s-first-net-zero-plan |archive-date=15 January 2025 |access-date=10 April 2025 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=de Sousa |first=Agnieszka |date=7 November 2023 |title=Rising Livestock Emissions Undermine World's Climate Fight |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/rising-livestock-emissions-undermine-worlds-climate-fight-1 |website=Bloomberg News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mridul |first=Anay |date=7 November 2023 |title=Top 20 Meat & Dairy Producers See 3% Increase in GHG Emissions As Climate Crisis Worsens |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/fairr-initiative-investor-network-report-meat-dairy-world-top-20-producers-ghg-emissions-rise-cop28/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Green Queen |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Antimicrobial resistance'''
FAIRR helped to establish the Investor Action on Antimicrobial Resistance, a coalition of investors addressing antibiotic use in agriculture. In 2023 the network coordinated a campaign with investors representing about US$6 trillion in assets, encouraging large restaurant groups such as McDonald’s and KFC to strengthen antibiotic-use policies in their meat supply chains.<ref>{{cite web |title=Food companies face investor calls to curb antibiotic use on farms |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2a90eada-76e5-4c05-967f-7a403974d553 |website=Financial Times |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Investor Action on Antimicrobial Resistance |url=https://amrinvestoraction.org/about |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=amrinvestoraction.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Natasha |date=23 May 2023 |title=Fairr targets fast food giants with AMR engagement |url=https://esgclarity.com/investor-network-urges-fast-food-giants-to-tackle-bacteria-threat/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=ESG Clarity |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==== Protein diversification ==== FAIRR’s Protein Diversification Engagement (previously the Sustainable Proteins campaign) targets major food retailers and manufacturers to increase transparency around alternative protein strategies and climate transition planning.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Aarti |date=13 August 2019 |title=How Big Food is responding to the alternative protein boom |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/08/alternative-plant-protein-market-growth-food-industry-response/ |website=World Economic Forum |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Investors urge food companies to shift from meat to plants-idUSKCN11W0L9/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/investors-urge-food-companies-to-shift-from-meat-to-plants-idUSKCN11W0L9/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=27 October 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
==== Seafood Traceability Initiative ==== In 2024, FAIRR launched a seafood traceability initiative with 35 investors representing over $6.5 trillion in assets. This project engages seafood companies such as Nissui and Nomad Foods, addressing ESG risks including overfishing, labour exploitation and biodiversity loss in the seafood industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2024 |title=Supply Chain Traceability Gaps Leave Global Seafood Giants at Risk Amid Mounting Investor Attention |url=https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/agriculture-transportation-and-shipping-london-bfb0dad285b2465296d1b1f55e507501 |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2023 |title=ESG - The FAIRR Initiative |url=https://equiniti.com/uk/news-and-views/eq-views/esg-the-fairr-initiative/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Equiniti}}</ref>
==== Aquaculture Feed Supply Chain Engagement ==== In May 2025, FAIRR published a report on salmon aquaculture sustainability. The report found that five of seven major salmon producers had increased their use of fishmeal and fish oil from wild-caught fish since 2020. FAIRR cited FAO estimates that nearly 90% of global marine fish stocks are already fully exploited or overexploited, and that the projected 40% growth in farmed salmon production by 2033 could increase pressure on these already strained wild fisheries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harvey |first=Clare |date=22 May 2025 |title=FAIRR analysis finds wild sources of salmon feed won't keep up with salmon production |url=https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/fairr-analysis-finds-wild-sources-of-salmon-feed-won-t-keep-up-with-salmon-production |website=SeafoodSource |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
=== Waste & pollution engagement === In September 2022, FAIRR launched its Waste & Pollution Engagement, an investor-led effort with major pork and poultry producers. It focuses on corporate disclosure and management of manure handling and nutrient runoff.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marston |first=Jennifer |date=22 September 2022 |title=FAIRR tackles ‘Big Meat’s’ big poop problem with manure management and pollution investor engagement |url=https://agfundernews.com/fairr-tackles-big-meats-big-poop-problem-with-manure-management-and-pollution-investor-engagement |website=AgFunderNews |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> A three-year review of the engagement, published in 2025, reported participation from ten livestock producers and two fertiliser companies. The report found that while most companies had begun assessing water-quality risks associated with manure and fertiliser use, few had implemented mitigation strategies.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 2025 |title=Waste & Pollution: Phase 3 Progress Report |url=https://www.fairr.org/resources/reports/waste-and-pollution-phase3-progress-report |website=FAIRR Initiative |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
=== Policy Engagement ===
FAIRR advocates for policy reform in sustainable agriculture, including regenerative practices, methane reduction, subsidy reform and antibiotic stewardship.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Thambi |first1=S. |last2=Chandrasekharan |first2=T. |last3=Chiu |first3=C. |last4=Susanto |first4=E. |last5=Palazzo |first5=A. |last6=Frank |first6=S. |last7=Havlik |first7=P. |date=28 March 2023 |title=The Financial Impact of Climate Change on the Livestock Sector. New Insights for Investors and Policymakers |url=https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/18698/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=pure.iiasa.ac.at}}</ref>
FAIRR has supported calls for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to publish a net-zero-aligned roadmap for the global food system.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Helena |date=9 June 2022 |title=$14 Trillion Investor Coalition Urges FAO to Set Roadmap to 1.5 °C for Food |url=https://www.fairr.org/news-events/press-releases/investor-letter-fao-roadmap |website=FAIRR Initiative |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
In April 2024, FAIRR endorsed a public letter by academics Paul Behrens and Matthew Hayek raising concerns about aspects of the FAO’s report Pathways towards Lower Emissions, including the interpretation of emissions data.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |date=30 September 2024 |title=Scientists criticise UN agency FAO over failure to withdraw livestock emissions report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/30/scientists-criticise-un-agency-fao-failure-to-withdraw-livestock-emissions-report |website=The Guardian |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
According to Bloomberg, a 2024 FAIRR report analyzing 79 agrifood companies found that while many publicly promote regenerative agriculture, few have clear targets or provide financial support.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 October 2024 |title=Groove Armada's Andy Cato Champions UK Regenerative Farming |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-10-27/groove-armada-s-andy-cato-champions-uk-regenerative-farming?leadSource=uverify%20wall |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>
In January 2025, FAIRR reported on climate mitigation in agriculture, discussing nature-based approaches such as agroforestry and regenerative grazing. The report examined trade-offs for biodiversity, and reviewed financing mechanisms including green bonds and sustainability-linked debt instruments.<ref>{{cite web |last=Welsh |first=Ian |date=26 March 2025 |title=Through the ag investor lens: the shift towards nature-based solutions |url=https://www.innovationforum.co.uk/articles/through-the-ag-investor-lens-the-shift-towards-nature-based-solutions |website=Innovation Forum |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 January 2025 |title=Climate and Nature-based Interventions in Livestock |url=https://www.fairr.org/resources/reports/climate-and-nature-based-interventions-in-livestock |website=FAIRR Initiative |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Helena |date=7 February 2025 |title=Climate Change and Nature Loss in the Food System |url=https://www.fairr.org/news-events/insights/climate-change-and-nature-loss-in-the-food-system |website=FAIRR Initiative |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
In August 2025, FAIRR published research on water insecurity in the livestock sector, finding that two-thirds of major protein producers were failing to manage water-related risks and estimating potential costs to companies of $200-300 billion.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-08-27 |title=For investors, the cost of inaction around growing water scarcity will be ‘significant,’ says FAIRR |last=Marston |first=Jennifer |url=https://agfundernews.com/for-investors-the-cost-of-inaction-around-growing-water-scarcity-will-be-significant-says-fairr |website=AgFunder News}}</ref>
==== Climate Risk Analysis (2024) ==== FAIRR’s 2024 climate risk analysis reported significant financial threats facing the livestock industry by 2030.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Mathieu |first=Henry |date=31 March 2023 |title=Climate risks to cause operating losses for major livestock groups, FAIRR reports |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/climate-risks-to-cause-operating-losses-for-major-livestock-groups-fairr-reports/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Just Food |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=1 November 2020 |title=The Coller FAIRR Climate Risk Tool |url=https://www.unpri.org/showcasing-leadership/the-coller-fairr-climate-risk-tool/8955.article |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=PRI |language=en}}</ref>
=== Research and data tools ===
==== Coller FAIRR Seafood Index ==== In 2026, FAIRR launched the ‘’‘Coller FAIRR Seafood Index’’’, a benchmark tool assessing 20 of the world’s largest listed seafood and aquaculture companies. The index evaluates ESG risks and opportunities across the seafood sector, including issues such as traceability, biodiversity impacts, animal welfare, feed sourcing and supply-chain transparency. According to FAIRR, the index was developed to provide investors with company-specific analysis of sustainability-related risks within seafood production and supply chains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New FAIRR benchmark shows environmental, social risks across seafood sector |url=https://www.undercurrentnews.com/2026/05/28/new-fairr-benchmark-shows-environmental-social-risks-across-seafood-sector/ |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=Undercurrent News |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index ==== Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index benchmarks the world’s 60 of the largest publicly listed meat, dairy, and aquaculture companies on ten ESG themes aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)''.'' The index provides financial institutions with insights and analytics on ESG performance, identifying risks and trends with the protein industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 November 2023 |title=Salmon farmers top sustainable food producers' list |url=https://thefishsite.com/articles/salmon-farmers-top-sustainable-food-producers-list-mowi-grig-fairr |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=The Fish Site |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=team |first=Editorial |date=8 November 2023 |title=Salmon farmers dominate protein sustainability index |url=https://www.fishfarmingexpert.com/bakkafrost-coller-fairr-index-grieg-seafood/salmon-farmers-dominate-protein-sustainability-index/1589694 |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=www.fishfarmingexpert.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Responsible Investing: Feeding the growth of sustainable farming |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/responsible-investing-feeding-growth-sustainable-farming |access-date=18 April 2025 |website=The Edge Malaysia}}</ref>
==== Coller FAIRR Climate Risk Tool ==== The Coller FAIRR Climate Risk Tool models potential financial impacts on meat and dairy producers under three climate scenarios - High Climate Impact, Business as Usual, and Net Zero Aligned - using data from authoritative sources such as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2023 |title=About Launch of Coller FAIRR Climate Risk Tool 3.0 {{!}} PRI |url=https://collaborate.unpri.org/group/18116/about |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=collaborate.unpri.org |language=en}}</ref>
==== Alternative Proteins ==== In September 2022, FAIRR and the Good Food Institute released ESG reporting frameworks for alternative protein producers and diversified food companies. The frameworks were developed with input from companies, institutional investors and NGOs to provide a basis for consistent disclosure of various ESG metrics, including climate, biodiversity, nutrition, labour and governance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Askew |first=Katy |date=16 September 2022 |title='Empowering companies to measure and communicate positive impact': Alt protein advocates develop reporting framework to communicate ESG credentials |url=https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2022/09/16/Empowering-companies-to-measure-and-communicate-positive-impact-Alt-protein-advocates-develop-reporting-framework-to-communicate-ESG-credentials/ |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=FoodNavigator}}</ref>
== Governance == In 2023, FAIRR appointed Fiona Reynolds, former CEO of UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), as its President.<ref>{{cite web |last=Staff |first=I. P. E. |date=2024-03-21 |title=People moves: Royal Mail Pensions Trustees chief joins Cartwright |url=https://www.ipe.com/news/people-moves-royal-mail-pensions-trustees-chief-joins-cartwright/10072248.article |access-date=11 April 2025 |website=IPE}}</ref> In May 2026, FAIRR announced that Abigail Herron would become executive director in August 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verney |first=Paul |date=2026-05-18 |title=People & Appointments: Aviva Investors’ Abigail Herron joins FAIRR |url=https://www.responsible-investor.com/people-appointments-aviva-investors-abigail-herron-joins-fairr/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Responsible Investor |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Awards == In 2024, FAIRR received several awards recognising its contribution to sustainable investment and ESG advocacy, including:
* Bloomberg Green ESG 50 “Most to Watch” List (China) – ''Winner: Driving Innovation''. * City AM Dragon Awards 2024 – ''Winner: Investor Action on AMR''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City AM Dragon Awards 2024 |url=https://www.cityam.com/city-am-dragons-award-2024/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=City AM |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Acquisition International Global Excellence Awards – ''Winner: Most Outstanding Initiative on Animal Agriculture'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Excellence Awards - Winners List (2023) |url=https://acquisitioninternational.digital/winners-list/?award=117616-2023 |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Acquisition International |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324163801/https://acquisitioninternational.digital/winners-list/?award=117616-2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
FAIRR has also received other industry awards and recognitions in previous years.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Yoshida |first1=Kaori |last2=Temple-West |first2=Patrick |date=16 December 2024 |title=How opaque seafood supply chains could threaten up to $3tn |url=https://www.ft.com/content/852ba351-a13b-4848-a3a9-1575f266663b |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Financial Times}}</ref>
== References == <references />
== External links == [https://www.fairr.org/ Official website]
Category:2015 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Environmental organisations based in the United Kingdom Category:Environmental organizations established in 2015 Category:International environmental organizations Category:Organisations based in London Category:Non-profit organisations based in London Category:Agriculture and the environment