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Sustainability

Stay on the Right Side of Sustainability Regulations

ESG regulations are growing in number and complexity in the food and beverage sector. At the same time, consumers are more aware of where and how the products they buy are sourced. In short, there’s a lot for Category Directors to keep up with.

Bord Bia Thinking House

April 2026

How Category Directors Can Stay on the Right Side of Sustainability Regulations

Make Progress on Your ESG Goals

The ESG regulatory environment is becoming harder to navigate, and the fines for noncompliance are becoming more severe. Consumers also increasingly expect the brands they buy from to source sustainably and be open about their own ESG claims. At a minimum, Category Directors need to keep pace with changing legislation and have an efficient, reliable way to report on ESG activities. That includes scrutinizing their entire supply chain and demanding clear, in-depth data at the individual supplier level.

INSIGHT 1

of companies believe expanding ESG compliance will have a high impact on their supply chains in the next 1–2 years.
PwC, 2024
INSIGHT 2

of a food company’s emissions are tied to its top 10-20 suppliers.
Carbon Maps, 2025
INSIGHT 3

of companies removed from the scope of the CSRD following the European Commission’s new omnibus package.
European Commission, 2025
INSIGHT 4

of consumers believe brands are engaging in greenwashing.
Capgemini, 2025
INSIGHT 5

of consumers would like food companies to be more transparent about their carbon footprint.
Bord Bia Thinking House, 2024
INSIGHT 6

of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable produced or sourced goods.
PwC, 2024