Applying Capitals Approach in Business Decision Making for Sustainable Agri-Food Sector

Overview

Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Economics and Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) to promote sustainable agriculture and food value chains by applying the TEEBAgriFood principles for responsible sourcing and making supply chains sustainable.

The TEEBAgriFood principles, developed by The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), applies a holistic systems-thinking approach to food systems. It helps decision-makers, including businesses, recognise the wide range of benefits provided by ecosystems and biodiversity, demonstrate their value in economic terms and, and capture those values in decision-making, wherever appropriate.

CRB’s role in the project is to engage with agri-business networks in India, communicate the project’s objectives and progress to relevant stakeholders, and provide insights throughout its implementation. This initiative will adopt a Capitals Approach, focusing on:

● Natural Capital: Ecosystem restoration, improved habitat quality, reduced deforestation, enhanced soil health, and better water efficiency
● Produced Capital: Enhancements in fixed assets and financial capital
● Human Capital: Improved livelihoods, enhanced skill development, and reduced occupational risks
● Social Capital: Greater access to food and increased employment opportunities

The project activities will be continued in the three States, namely, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Objectives

The objective of the project is to contribute to food systems transformation by making the economic case for pro-nature policies that provide sustainable livelihoods and enhanced community cohesion.

Key objectives are:

To develop the capacity of businesses to understand and implement the Capitals Approach, enabling them to integrate biodiversity considerations into their strategic planning and operations, leading to more sustainable and resilient business models.
To engage with various stakeholders including agribusinesses, agri-startups, government bodies, business and industry associations, farmer groups and cooperatives, civil society organisations and NGOs, public sector stakeholders including national and state governments and research partners
To foster stakeholder engagement and capacity building across states of Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, with a unique focus on understanding key constraints and opportunities for sustainable enhancement of the agricultural value chains.

Events

Joining the Training Session on the Capitals Approach, 20 January 2026, Online Workshop

UNEP TEEB Partners Training on the TEEBAgriFood Framework Application of Business Decision Making, 9 January 2026New Delhi

TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth: Sustainability in AgriFood-Business – Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future | Dehradun, Uttarakhand| 29-30 October, 2025

On 29 – 30 October 2025, @UNEP and @CRB jointly organised a two-day training workshop in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The workshop was held in collaboration with PSI, the state-level partner for Uttarakhand. The first day included a high-level panel discussion with experts from both the public and private sectors, who underscored the relevance of the TEEBAgriFood framework in advancing food systems transformation in Uttarakhand.

During both days of the training, participants, which included FPOs, FPCs and agri-entrepreneurs from the state of Uttarakhand, were introduced to the framework in detail and equipped with knowledge and tools to apply the concepts within their business operations. It was encouraging to observe their engagement with the Capitals assessment, as several participants have already started identifying priority areas for refining critical aspects of their operations.

TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth: Sustainability in AgriFood-Business – Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future | Deoria, Uttar Pradesh | 16 - 17 September 2025

On 16 – 17 September 2025, UNEP and CRB jointly organised a two-day training workshop in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. The workshop was held in collaboration with Jagriti Enterprise Centre, the state-level partner for Uttar Pradesh.

The first day included a high-level panel discussion with experts from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from UNEP and ICAR-IIFSR Modipuram. The panel discussion underscored the crucial role of ecosystem services in agriculture, emphasising the need for a shift toward more sustainable agricultural practices. The TEEBAgriFood Framework was presented as a method to ensure true valuation while recognising the significance of natural and social capital. It was also highlighted that on-ground action is already underway in the Purvanchal region to advance sustainable agriculture.

On both days of the training workshop, participants were introduced to the TEEBAgriFood Framework and encouraged to apply its concepts within their business enterprises and operations.

TEEBAgriFood Framework Application for Growth: Sustainability in AgriFood-Business – Linking Farmers, Enterprises, and Nature for a Sustainable Future | Guwahati, Assam | 10- 11 September 2025

On 10 – 11 September 2025, UNEP and CRB jointly organised a two-day training workshop in Guwahati, Assam. The workshop was held in collaboration with ICCo, the state-level partner for Assam.
The first day included a high-level panel discussion with experts from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from NABARD, Assam Agroforestry Development Board, Indian Institute of Forest Management, and McCormick Global Ingredients Ltd.

The panel highlighted the importance of the TEEBAgriFood framework to further advance food systems transformation in the state of Assam, with particular focus on access to finance and markets, as well as creating a fair and supportive policy environment.
On the second day of the training, participants were introduced to the framework in detail and equipped with knowledge and tools to develop business cases.

Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri Food Value Chain | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | May 20, 2025

On 20 May, Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), The Economics and Ecosystems of Biodiversity (TEEB), and IKEA Foundation co-hosted a state-level stakeholder consultation in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on ‘Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri-Food Value Chain’. The consultation was supported by Jagriti Enterprise Centre – Purvanchal and Access Development Services.

The consultation explored ways to support farming communities and agri-entrepreneurs in adopting sustainable agricultural practices, stressing on the importance of biodiversity, resilient local agricultural systems, and the need for infrastructural support. It highlighted the role of a Capitals Approach – a framework that integrates the value of natural, human, social, and produced capitals – into decision making.

A dialogue titled ‘State-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Biodiversity Economy Strategy for Uttar Pradesh’ was also conducted on May 21, 2025

Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri Food Value Chain | Guwahati, Assam | March 18, 2025

Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri Food Value Chain | Guwahati, Assam | March 18, 2025

A state-level stakeholder consultation on promoting agri-systems transformation through the application of a capitals approach for the Agri Value Chain was organised today in Guwahati, Assam. The event was co-hosted by Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), UNEP, IKEA Foundation, ICCo, Assam Forest Department and Assam Agroforestry Development Board.

The consultation highlighted the benefits of a Capitals Approach and emphasised the importance of integrating natural, social, human, and produced capital assets to develop sustainable agriculture value chains, with a particular focus on agroforestry and organic agriculture in Assam.

Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri Food Value Chain | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | March 11, 2025

Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri Food Value Chain | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | March 11, 2025

Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), IKEA Foundation, Clover Organic Pvt. Ltd., and Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board. (UOCB) co-hosted a state-level stakeholder consultation in Dehradun on ‘Promoting Transformation through a Capitals Approach in the Agri-Food Value Chain’.

The consultation emphasised the opportunity in Uttarakhand to integrate traditional agricultural wisdom with modern innovations for building sustainable agriculture value chains in the State, thereby creating positive impacts on people and nature.

A dialogue titled ‘State-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Biodiversity Economy Strategy for Uttarakhand’ was also conducted on 12 March, 2025

Capitals Approach a Ready Tool for AgriFood Sector to Design Sustainable Supply Chains

Capitals Approach a Ready Tool for AgriFood Sector to Design Sustainable Supply Chains: Watch here

The session, as a part of Centre for Responsible Business (CRB’s) India and Sustainability Standards 2024, aimed to engage with a diverse set of stakeholders under the following objectives:

Provide context on why capitals are relevant to any business in the food system and how businesses benefit from capitals.
Discuss opportunities for sustainable enhancement of agrifood value chains in India.
Discuss linkages/benefits of capitals approach with various reporting standards as well as in meeting business commitments.

View the Session report here.