Biodiversity Policy Engagement Analysis
Biodiversity Lobbying Overview: Cargill exhibits policy engagement that is broadly misaligned with policy pathways for delivering the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework
Top-line Messaging on Biodiversity Loss: Cargill has limited high-level messaging on biodiversity loss. In its 2023 ESG Report, Cargill states the importance of biodiversity. However, Cargill does not appear to have a clear position on the science of biodiversity loss. In the same report, Cargill states the importance of “preserving critical ecosystems”. Also in this report, Cargill describes engagement with governments on food systems but does not make it clear if it supports a regulatory response to biodiversity loss.
Engagement with Biodiversity-Related Regulations: Cargill has engaged on policy relating to numerous drivers of biodiversity loss.
Cargill is most engaged on land use related policy. In its 2023 ESG Report, Cargill stated support for the EU’s Deforestation-free Products Initiative. However, in its 2023 CDP response, Cargill states it is supporting the policy “with major exceptions”, including advocating for a commodity-by-commodity approach. In comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2023, Cargill advocated for increased targets for biomass-based diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which risks causing land use change. Similarly, in its 2024 CDP response, Cargill stated it was advocating to increase the contribution of crop-based biofuels in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive.
Cargill has limited but positive engagement on policy related to overexploitation of species. According to reporting by Seafood Source in 2023, advocated for the total allowable catch (TAC) for the North Atlantic blue whiting to be reduced in line with scientific advice.
Cargill has limited but negative engagement on pollution-related policy. In comments to the EPA in 2024, Cargill advocated to weaken a rule setting more stringent effluent limits on nutrients and other pollutants from the meat and poultry products sector, stating that the proposed nitrogen and phosphorus limits were “unreasonably low”. In its filing under the US Lobbying Disclosure Act, Cargill disclosed engagement on "Packaging, Recycling, and Plastics" from 2022-23, but did not specify a position.
Finally, in its 2022 ESG Report, Cargill stated support for the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which impacts a number of drivers of biodiversity loss.
Positioning on Statutory Protection of Wildlife: Cargill does not appear to have engaged on the statutory protection of wildlife.
Industry Association Governance: Cargill does not appear to disclosure its industry association memberships. Cargill is a member of industry associations opposing biodiversity-related policy, including the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Fisheries Institute.
InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate biodiversity policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the company’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q3 2025.