HowGood at Davos 2025: Scaling Sustainability in the Food Industry
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The Davos Climate Conference, an annual event hosted by the World Economic Forum, has long been a gathering point for leaders in business, government, and civil society to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
This year, HowGood had the privilege of being part of the action, representing our commitment to driving sustainability and innovation in the food industry. In addition to participating in key discussions at Davos, HowGood was deeply involved in hosting Regen House events, where we collaborated with other industry leaders to explore the role of AI, digital technology, and open agricultural data in accelerating sustainability efforts.
“One of the biggest shifts we saw was the industry’s readiness to move from small-scale pilots to large-scale implementation," said HowGood CEO Alexander Gillett. "For companies looking to meet their 2030 sustainability targets, action must begin now, as many farming transitions take at least five years. What stood out was the serious commitment to scaling solutions – not just discussing them.”
Our Key Takeaways from Davos 2025
Scaling Up for Impact
One of the most prominent themes this year was the shift from isolated lighthouse projects to large-scale implementation. Many food companies are now accelerating their efforts to meet sustainability goals, such as transitioning farms to regenerative practices. Since these transformations often take five years or more, the urgency to act now has never been greater. The industry’s focus has shifted to funding and operationalizing these transitions at scale.
Innovative Funding Solutions
Industry leaders discussed creative approaches to financing these initiatives. From forging partnerships with banks and insurers to implementing decade-long supplier contracts (these longer contracts have previously been a rare occurrence for food companies), the commitment to enabling sustainable transitions is present. These shifts demonstrate a deeper recognition of sustainability as a long-term investment.
Leading the Conversation
HowGood’s role at Davos included showcasing the value of actionable data in driving sustainable practices. By connecting the dots between insurers, farmers, and food brands, we highlighted how data can unlock funding opportunities and streamline decision-making. Hearing others champion these ideas was both validating and inspiring, proof that the industry is moving forward with actionable sustainability strategies.
Pressure on the Food Industry
The food industry is acutely aware of its vulnerability to climate change, at an even higher level than other sectors. Disruptions in supply chains, farming, and ingredient sourcing are already being felt, making sustainability a top priority. This sense of urgency sets the food industry apart, positioning it as a potential leader in taking climate action.
Looking Ahead
Davos provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, nonprofits, and other stakeholders dedicated to transforming food systems. HowGood was proud to contribute to the conversations at Regen House – discussions that reinforced the growing need for tech-driven nature intelligence solutions that can enable real-time sustainability monitoring and compliance.
“We talked with a number of organizations who focus on farmers and regenerative agriculture, and they were really looking to use platforms like HowGood to understand where their farms stand and what they could do better. This long-term opportunity reinforces the value of actionable data and collaboration in driving meaningful change,” Alex shared.
As we move forward, HowGood remains committed to fostering long-term partnerships, supporting innovative funding mechanisms, and helping companies accelerate their sustainability efforts.
We’ll continue to drive discussions of meaningful change in food system transformation at the next Regen House events, taking place at Natural Foods Expo West in March 2025. Access the agenda and request invitations on the Regen House site.
