Food giants lead call for climate change action

Leading food and drink companies have come together to call for action on climate change, warning that rising temperatures threaten global food supplies.

The heads of Mars, Unilever, Kellogg’s and Nestle are among those who have signed an open letter to world leaders, calling for a “sound agreement” on curbing global warming.

The demand comes ahead of crucial UN talks in Paris in December where countries will meet to try to agree a new global deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

In the letter, the company chiefs warn: “Climate change is bad for farmers and for agriculture.

“Drought, flooding and hotter growing conditions threaten the world’s food supply and contribute to food insecurity.

“By 2050, it is estimated that the world’s population will exceed nine billion, with two-thirds of all people living in urban areas.

“This increase in population and urbanisation will require more water, energy and food, all of which are compromised by warming temperatures.”

They said companies like theirs would have to produce more food on less land and using fewer natural resources.

They pledged to improve their supply chains.