Africa: UN-Backed Label Launched to Help Shoppers Choose Environmentally Friendly Rice

press release

Bangkok — A new ecolabel launched today by the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) will help shoppers reduce their environmental impact by identifying rice that has been sustainably produced. The SRP - a grouping of over 100 public, private, research, financial institutions and civil society organizations led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)- has developed the "SRP-Verified" Label to reduce the environmental impact of one of the largest food crops in the world.

Over 3.5 billion people rely on rice as a daily staple, but the crop has an undeniable environmental impact. Rice farming consumes up to one-third of the world's developed freshwater resources and generates up to 20% of global anthropogenic emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This life-giving crop will also be the victim of rising global temperatures, with production expected to fall by 15% by 2050 due to climate change, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.