Brands and retailers are increasingly setting nature-focused targets and actively seeking ways to promote positive biodiversity outcomes in supply chains. However, while many resources exist for companies, farmers and farm groups have fewer tools to support their role in these efforts.
Textile Exchange saw an opportunity to understand and enhance farmers’ understanding of spatial data, to help them to develop nature strategies. This project explored how geospatial data collected through certification can empower farmers to engage with nature-focused targets.
A tool prototype to identify suitable interventions to support nature in a specific landscape was applied to two certified farm groups. Additional surveys and interviews brought insight on their current data use, and what support they need to develop nature strategies and effectively use GIS data.
By revealing the state of play on the use of spatial data by farm groups, the project lay the foundation to continue to develop and test the tool – so it can effectively enable farmers to meet market demands, and drive action for nature.
