FAIRR

FAIRR (initially known as the Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative) is a global network of institutional investors addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities in the food sector.^[1] It provides institutional investors with research, analytical tools, and collaborative platforms to engage companies across the global food and agriculture industries.^[2] FAIRR is part of the Jeremy Coller Foundation, a philanthropic platform established in 2002 by private equity investor Jeremy Coller.^[3][4][5][6] It works to make the food supply more sustainable and using more plant-based foods.^[7]

Based in London, UK,^[8] it offers research, tools, and investor engagements in the global food sector.^[9][10][11]

Overview

FAIRR was founded in 2015 by Jeremy Coller, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Coller Capital, to help institutional investors identify and mitigate ESG risks associated with intensive animal agriculture and broader food systems.^[12][13] According to the Guardian the initiative managed to unite 40 global financial firms including Robeco, Aviva, and Nordea in 2015-2016, making a near 2 trillion USD coalition.^[14]

In 2022, FAIRR and the Good Food Institute (GFI) launched a tool with two frameworks for businesses to report the sustainability of alternative proteins.^[15]

In 2023, FAIRR released a report—developed with IPCC scientists—warning that climate risks could push half of the world’s largest livestock producers into operating losses by 2030 under a 2°C scenario.^[16]

In 2023, FAIRR appointed Fiona Reynolds, former CEO of UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), as its President.^[17]

According to Bloomberg, a 2024 FAIRR report analyzing 79 agrifood companies found that while many publicly promote regenerative agriculture, few have clear targets or provide financial support.^[18]

Operations

Headquartered in London, UK, FAIRR comprises over 400 investor members managing approximately $70 trillion in assets, making it among the fastest-growing ESG investor networks by assets under management.^[19] FAIRR facilitates collaborative investor engagements, publishes research, coordinates policy advocacy, and engages with regulators, industry groups, and non-governmental organisations to enhance sustainability across food supply chains.^[20][21][22]

Policy Engagement

FAIRR engages policymakers and industry stakeholders advocating sustainable practices such as regenerative agriculture and responsible antibiotic use, highlighting financial risks related to climate change and biodiversity loss. It regularly publishes open letters and reports, urging transparency and ESG-aligned actions within food companies.^[23][24]

FAIRR actively participates in international climate discussions, including COP conferences, highlighting the environmental impact of intensive animal agriculture.^[25][23]

Key Projects

Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index

Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index benchmarks the world’s 60 of the largest publicly listed meat, dairy, and aquaculture companies on ten ESG themes aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The index provides financial institutions with insights and analytics on ESG performance, identifying risks and trends with the protein industry.^[26][27][28]

Coller FAIRR Climate Risk Tool

The Coller FAIRR Climate Risk Tool models potential financial impacts on meat and dairy producers under three climate scenarios - High Climate Impact, Business as Usual, and Net Zero Aligned - using data from authoritative sources such as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).^[29]

Seafood Traceability Initiative

In 2024, FAIRR launched a seafood traceability initiative with 35 investors representing over $6.5 trillion in assets. This project engages seafood companies such as Nissui and Nomad Foods, addressing ESG risks including overfishing, labour exploitation and biodiversity loss in the seafood industry.^[30][31]

Climate Risk Analysis (2024)

FAIRR’s 2024 climate risk analysis reported significant financial threats facing the livestock industry by 2030, driven by methane emissions, volatile feed prices, and rising consumer demand for plant-based alternatives.^[32][33]

Engagements and Partnerships

FAIRR coordinates investor-supported engagements on critical ESG topics including alternative proteins, antibiotic stewardship, biodiversity conservation, climate risks, and labour and social risk. FAIRR is a founding member of the Investor Action on AMR initiative, promoting investor collaboration to address antimicrobial resistance in the food and agriculture sectors.^[34][35]

Awards

In 2024, FAIRR received several awards recognising its contribution to sustainable investment and ESG advocacy, including:

• Bloomberg Green ESG 50 “Most to Watch” List (China) – Winner: Driving Innovation.^[36]
• City AM Dragon Awards 2024 – Winner: Investor Action on AMR.^[37]
• Acquisition International Global Excellence Awards – Winner: Most Outstanding Initiative on Animal Agriculture (2023).^[38]

FAIRR has also received other industry awards and recognitions in previous years.^[39]