Agrifood Transition Plan Assessment Framework

The Agrifood Transition Plan Assessment Framework, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative, provides guidance for financial sector stakeholders to evaluate the transition strategies of agrifood companies. It establishes a tiered assessment structure—categorizing companies as 'committed' or 'advanced'—across three pillars: ambition (performance targets), action (delivery strategies), and accountability (governance and reporting). The framework emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates climate mitigation with nature protection, social considerations, and the elimination of deforestation across the value chain.

• The framework categorizes agrifood companies into two maturity stages: 'committed' (early phase) and 'advanced'. For a committed company's plan to be credible, all listed early-phase elements must be present. Advanced companies must meet all committed-phase requirements plus additional advanced-phase elements, unless those elements are specifically marked as 'supporting information'.
• Credible transition plans must set performance targets aligned with a 1.5-degree sectoral pathway. While early-stage companies must set short-term scope 1, 2, and 3 targets, advanced companies are expected to set short-, medium-, and long-term targets. Specific requirements include mandatory methane (CH4) or nitrous oxide (N2O) reduction targets for companies involved in rice, meat, or dairy production.
• The framework stresses that agrifood transitions cannot focus solely on carbon mitigation but must holistically incorporate nature and social goals. Key systemic requirements include eliminating deforestation from supply chains and shifting production and consumption patterns, such as increasing plant-based product offerings and reducing food loss and waste.
• For companies downstream in the value chain, transition planning must include active engagement with upstream producers. This includes setting targets for the percentage of suppliers with SBTi-validated targets or public action plans, and ensuring procurement is deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF).
• Accountability is measured through governance and standardized reporting. The board of directors must be formally responsible for the transition plan's development and implementation. Reporting requirements for advanced companies include disclosing food loss and waste against recognized standards, water usage exposure to water stress, and a breakdown of emissions by greenhouse gas type.
• The framework identifies specific eligible measures for decarbonization and adaptation. For producers, these include substituting fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilizer with organic alternatives and implementing precision agriculture. For manufacturers and retailers, measures include transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants and optimizing delivery routes to include locally sourced produce.

APA

Climate Bonds Initiative (n.d.). Agrifood Transition Plan Assessment Framework. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Agrifood_transition_frameworks_April-2025.pdf

Chicago

Climate Bonds Initiative. Agrifood Transition Plan Assessment Framework. n.d. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Agrifood_transition_frameworks_April-2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Bonds Initiative |title=Agrifood Transition Plan Assessment Framework |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Agrifood_transition_frameworks_April-2025.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatebondsinitiativendagrifood, author = {{Climate Bonds Initiative}}, title = {{Agrifood Transition Plan Assessment Framework}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Agrifood_transition_frameworks_April-2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }