Net Zero for Commercial Leaders Programme

Climate change is reshaping commercial reality – understanding net zero is essential to business resilience, security of supply and long-term growth.​

​In 2024, IGD and WRAP launched A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System, setting out how the whole food system could work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions reductions and achieve net zero by 2040. The Transition Plan aligns with the UK Government’s National Food Strategy and legislated national net zero action areas.

Net zero cannot be delivered by sustainability teams alone. To turn ambition into action, organisations need their commercial leaders to understand the challenge, make informed decisions and embed emissions reduction into everyday commercial decisions. All functions of an organisation are needed to support the transition and deliver on corporate climate ambitions and targets.

To support this, IGD has developed a Net Zero for Commercial Leaders programme – designed specifically for senior commercial decision-makers across the food system.

Who is it for?

The programme is designed for senior commercial leaders in the food industry, including:

• Directors of Commercial, Category, Account, Sales, Trading and Procurement

• Leaders responsible for shaping supplier relationships and commercial strategy

Why take part?

By completing the programme, you will:

• Network with fellow commercial director industry peers, hear from inspirational speakers and experience an in-person farm visit

• Build a clear, practical understanding of net zero, the agricultural transition and why they matter to your business

• Learn how emissions reduction can support good growth and reduce risk

• Gather guidance on how to align net zero targets to everyday commercial decisions and engage key stakeholders

• Start to identify clear actions to reduce emissions e.g. through sourcing, production and consumption

What does the programme involve?

The programme is designed to fit around a busy senior commercial role, combining flexible learning with shared discussion and real-world insight.

Farm visit (6 hours)

• Full-day (approx. 6 hours) on Friday 4^th September

• Hosted at G’s Fresh farm in Cambridgeshire

• Morning: guided farm tour of G’s Fresh and neighbouring beef livestock farm, learning about the commercial realities from a farmer’s perspective

• Afternoon: expert insights and facilitated group discussions

• G’s Group is a family owned, vertically integrated, food and farming business that grows salads and vegetables and operates in five countries

G’s 4,000ha Cambridgeshire farm has been transitioning to regenerative farming during the last five years, aiming to grow the same yields on lower inputs, whilst enhancing the farm

Online learning (5 hours)

Three self-paced online modules (approx. 1 hour each), covering:

• Net zero and corporate action

• Changing how we produce – the agricultural transition

• Changing what and how we consume – shaping market demand for net zero

Three live webinars with fellow programme participants (40 minutes each, including time for discussion).

Register your interest

If you would like to take part in this free Net Zero for Commercial Leaders programme, simply register your interest below.