Syngenta Crop Protection AG

Syngenta has been working with Earthwatch since 2005 when the two organisations signed a collaboration agreement to launch a programme on sustainable agriculture. This three-year programme enabled Syngenta’s employees and stakeholders to look at ways in which farmers can integrate wildlife conservation into productive agricultural landscapes in Europe.

Two research projects were developed to explore biodiversity enhancement in important crop systems: mixed arable farming in the UK and vineyards in France. As well as providing opportunities for Syngenta staff and stakeholders these projects have also proved valuable for other participants including teachers, disadvantaged youth and paying volunteers.

Realizing the potential benefits of building on this programme, Syngenta and Earthwatch agreed in 2008 to develop a new collaboration called Living Landscapes. This global programme focuses on research on sustainable landscapes and livelihoods and contributes towards Syngenta’s cultural transformation journey. Living Landscapes combines hands-on scientific research and exposure to new perspectives on ecosystems and sustainable agriculture with an inspiring personal learning journey. The proof of concept phase is taking place in 2009, and the full programme will run from 2010 to 2014.

Partnership Elements

Stakeholder Involvement

Syngenta is a relatively young company, formed in 2000 by the merger of Novartis and Zeneca, and started Corporate Responsibility Reporting in 2003. As a member of CERG Earthwatch provides Syngenta with feedback on their Corporate Responsibility Reports as an informed environmental stakeholder. This feedback contributes to the progress Syngenta is making towards best standards in reporting. Collaboration on joint research projects also provides increasing opportunities for Earthwatch to contribute to the development of Syngenta’s approach to sustainability in agriculture.

Employee Engagement

Between 2005 and 2008 the Earthwatch and Syngenta partnership on sustainable agriculture enabled 59 Syngenta employees and stakeholders to participate in two projects: Wildlife Enhancement on a Working Farm (Upton Estate, England) and Biodiversity Enhancement in the Bordeaux Vineyards (France). Stakeholders representing a range of organisations (from government departments to NGOs) participated in the programme and high levels of satisfaction were expressed by all participants through Earthwatch’s evaluation process.

In 2009, during the proof of concept phase of Living Landscapes, 48 high potential leaders within Syngenta will participate in an experiential learning opportunity centred around a five-day Residential Field Programme in two Earthwatch projects: Biodiversity Enhancement in the Bordeaux Vineyards (France) and Sustainable Farming Practices in Tarrazu (Costa Rica), Syngenta’s employees will be encouraged to explore their own personal growth as a leader within the company and the contribution they personally can make to society.

Participants will have the opportunity to be part of a unique learning journey designed and delivered by Earthwatch and Syngenta while exploring agricultural landscapes to demonstrate the research in progress. Basic practical training is given in methods and requirements for collecting data and wildlife identification. Using information given in informal lectures, in-field practical demonstrations and facilitated discussions, participants are given the opportunity to develop their own simplified research study to better understand the impact that certain environmental management techniques can have on biodiversity as well as farming outputs.

Community Investment

There is no direct community investment, but the projects that are being developed by Earthwatch with Syngenta provide opportunities for other groups including students, teacher teams and disadvantaged youth teams to participate in field research activities looking at productive landscapes and sustainable agriculture practices.

Environmental Research

Syngenta has supported the development of two Earthwatch projects: Wildlife Enhancement on a Working Farm (Upton Estate, England) which began in 2006 and Biodiversity Enhancement in the Bordeaux Vineyards (France) launched in 2007. Earthwatch has also been working in collaboration with Syngenta to develop a new project on biodiversity in olive plantations in Spain. Living Landscapes aims to develop a number of participatory field research projects that look at ecosystem conservation and community livelihoods in agricultural landscapes. Together with existing Earthwatch research projects; these will explore new methods in sustainable landscape management, showing how scientists and farmers can deliver benefits for both livelihoods and ecosystems. All these projects contribute to Earthwatch’s Ecosystems Research Area especially with regard to the protection of habitats and species in multi-use farmed landscapes.

Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world's leading agribusinesses dedicated to the purpose of: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. Syngenta has been working in partnership with Earthwatch since 2005 to promote the understanding of ways in which biodiversity conservation can take place in agricultural landscapes.

“Biodiversity is at the heart of agriculture; it is the origin of all crops and is the variety within them. As we address the key global challenge of ensuring food security in times of climate change, we must protect this basis for adaptation. Today, biodiversity is under threat across the world from loss of habitat and poor agricultural practices. Biodiversity is an important element of bringing plant potential to life and we are committed to raising awareness among our stakeholders.” JGV