Sustainability reporting in agriculture: Experts call for life cycle assessment to cut emissions and manage water risks

Experts at a workshop in Faisalabad, Pakistan, are pushing for wider use of life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability reporting in agriculture. They argue that conventional farming methods are increasing environmental costs through climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and rising energy demand. The workshop, held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad with support from Northumbria University and the UKRI-funded S2Cool project, focused on how environmental due diligence can identify risks, reduce carbon footprints, and support sustainable food production. The discussion highlighted that agriculture is closely tied to soil, water, energy, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions, so environmental assessment cannot stay limited to industrial activities. Speakers stressed the need for reliable environmental data to guide investment and production decisions, and for integrating sustainability into supply chains and product development. The call reflects a growing trend in climate finance and carbon markets, where measurable, verifiable environmental performance is becoming a prerequisite for funding and compliance.