Publications
Publications
- November 2019 (Revised April 2020)
- HBS Case Collection
Danone: Changing the Food System
By: David E. Bell, Federica Gabrieli and Daniela Beyersdorfer
Abstract
Emmanuel Faber, Chairman and CEO of the food and beverage company Danone, believed that humankind had only ten years to bend the curve on climate change and restore the biodiversity that the global food and agricultural ecosystem was critically dependent on. Upon becoming CEO in 2014, he had built on Danone's long history of CSR-engagement to give a boost to the company's mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible. In September 2019, he reflected on the progress achieved thus far, including efforts to support regenerative agriculture through new contract types for famers in their milk division. Still, many questions remained in his journey to fix what he saw as the food industry’s broken system: How could they manage the desired long-term transition to a sustainable system while also meeting the company’s short-term financial targets? What was the role of the private sector? What economic model could support an inclusive transition? How to engage partners and consumers to embark on this journey?
Keywords
Animal-Based Agribusiness; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Food; Nutrition; Quality; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Environmental Sustainability; Climate Change; Business Model; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; France
Citation
Bell, David E., Federica Gabrieli, and Daniela Beyersdorfer. "Danone: Changing the Food System." Harvard Business School Case 520-053, November 2019. (Revised April 2020.)