Innocent Drinks invests in greener farming with £1m fund

Innocent Drinks commits £1 million to support farm-level climate innovation

Innocent Drinks has allocated £1 million through its Farmer Innovation Fund to help fruit and vegetable growers reduce emissions, improve water management, and build climate resilience. The fund targets regenerative and low-carbon farming practices across the company’s supply chain. Projects span multiple countries and cover ingredients including apples, strawberries, coconuts, oranges, and bananas.

This latest funding round supports initiatives using artificial intelligence, remote sensors, carbon modelling, biodiversity monitoring, irrigation systems, and soil-management trials. The goal is to make farming more climate-resilient while reducing environmental impact. For UK businesses that source agricultural products or manage supply chains, the fund demonstrates how corporate investment in primary producers can address both sustainability targets and raw-material security.

The Farmer Innovation Fund was launched in 2021 to address a common barrier in agriculture. Farmers often lack the financial resources to trial new methods, particularly those requiring upfront investment with uncertain returns. Innocent’s approach provides capital for experimentation that could later be scaled if results prove positive. This model has relevance beyond the drinks sector, particularly for businesses facing pressure to decarbonise supply chains while maintaining ingredient availability.

Projects receiving funding in the current round

The 2025/2026 funding round includes both returning recipients and new participants. Projects cover a range of technologies and approaches across different crops and regions. Several focus on irrigation efficiency, which is critical in areas facing water stress. Others address soil health, waste reduction, and biodiversity.

Pixley Berries in the UK is testing a bio-stimulant alongside a sensory device to monitor blackcurrant crops over three years. The aim is to improve plant health and yield consistency while reducing input requirements. Aspis in Greece is conducting lifecycle assessments of peaches and peach puree production to identify emission hotspots and improvement opportunities.

In Spain, IBERFRUTA is trialling irrigation adjustments using sensors to study peach trees under deficit irrigation conditions. This approach could reduce water use without compromising fruit quality. Also in Spain, SVZ is testing the HIDRIX irrigation system to improve water and fertiliser efficiency for strawberry cultivation. Strawberries are a priority crop for Innocent due to their emission intensity and water requirements.

Sensus in the Netherlands is working on seed-embedding technology for chicory to improve yields and reduce waste. Meanwhile, Sol Organica in Nicaragua is converting food waste into compost, reducing both emissions and methane production from organic material. Additional supported projects include Time 4 Bee in Poland, Florida Products in Costa Rica, Zuvamesa in Spain, Chiquita in Costa Rica, and Konfrut in Türkiye.

How the fund addresses supply chain emissions

The Farmer Innovation Fund specifically targets ingredients that contribute heavily to Innocent’s carbon footprint. Apples, oranges, pineapples, and bananas are priority crops because they represent significant volumes and emission sources. Consequently, the grants are not simply philanthropic. They directly support the company’s net zero target of 2040 while protecting long-term ingredient availability.

This approach reflects a broader shift in how food and beverage companies manage climate risk. Rather than treating agricultural emissions as outside their control, businesses are investing in on-farm innovation to reduce Scope 3 emissions. For UK companies with agricultural supply chains, this model offers a practical example of how to support suppliers while progressing towards carbon reduction commitments.

The environmental benefits are tangible. Lower water use, reduced fertiliser and pesticide dependence, improved biodiversity, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions all result from the funded projects. However, the commercial benefits are equally important. More resilient supply chains mean greater security for ingredients sourced from regions facing climate stress, water scarcity, or disease pressure.

Previous Innocent-funded projects have demonstrated measurable results. In Spanish strawberry farms, advanced irrigation and soil management methods have cut water use by up to 40% in some cases. These outcomes matter for businesses that depend on consistent ingredient supply, particularly as climate volatility increases. Water stress in key growing regions can disrupt harvests, raise prices, and force reformulation.

The financial gap in farm-level innovation

The fund was created to address a specific problem. Farmers are often expected to adopt new, more sustainable methods without financial support to absorb the risk. Innovation requires capital for equipment, training, and trial periods during which yields or quality might be uncertain. Many growers, particularly small and medium-sized operations, cannot afford this investment.

Innocent’s model provides grants that cover part of the experimentation cost. If trials succeed, practices can be scaled across more farms or adopted by other suppliers. If they fail, the financial loss is shared rather than borne entirely by the farmer. This reduces the barrier to trying new approaches.

For UK businesses that source from agricultural suppliers, this model has wider relevance. Companies facing pressure to reduce supply chain emissions need their suppliers to change practices, but small growers often lack the resources to do so. Funding mechanisms like Innocent’s fund can help bridge this gap. They also create goodwill and strengthen supplier relationships, which matters for long-term sourcing stability.

The fund also aligns with public sector procurement trends. Buyers increasingly require suppliers to demonstrate environmental credentials and carbon reduction plans. Businesses that can show investment in their supply chains are better positioned to meet these requirements. This is particularly relevant for companies bidding on contracts covered by frameworks like PPN 06/21, which requires carbon reduction plans from suppliers.

Key details about the fund and Innocent’s climate strategy

• Innocent launched the Farmer Innovation Fund in 2021 to support farmers trialling regenerative and low-carbon practices.
• The fund has allocated £1 million in its latest round, covering projects across Europe, South America, Central America, and Africa.
• Supported projects include AI-driven monitoring, remote sensors, carbon lifecycle assessments, biodiversity initiatives, irrigation technology, and soil-management trials.
• Innocent has a net zero target of 2040 and focuses on high-emission ingredients like apples, oranges, pineapples, and bananas.
• Earlier projects have achieved water use reductions of up to 40% in some strawberry farms through improved irrigation and soil management.
• The fund aims to reduce supply chain emissions while improving the resilience of ingredient supply in climate-stressed regions.

What UK businesses can learn from this approach

Innocent’s fund demonstrates how companies can actively manage Scope 3 emissions rather than simply reporting them. For UK businesses with agricultural supply chains, this approach offers several lessons. First, supplier investment can deliver both environmental and commercial returns. Reduced emissions improve sustainability credentials, while improved resilience protects ingredient availability.

Second, shared risk models make innovation more accessible. Many suppliers want to adopt better practices but cannot afford the trial period. Financial support from buyers can unlock change that benefits both parties. Third, focusing on high-impact areas delivers better results. Innocent targets crops with the highest emissions and climate risk, ensuring that investment addresses the most significant problems.

Businesses looking to reduce supply chain emissions should consider where their greatest impacts lie. For food and beverage companies, agricultural ingredients are often the largest source of Scope 3 emissions. For manufacturers, it might be raw materials or component suppliers. Identifying these hotspots allows targeted investment in improvement projects.

Supply chain resilience is increasingly important for tender competitiveness. Public sector buyers and large corporate customers want assurance that suppliers can maintain continuity despite climate disruption. Demonstrating investment in supplier resilience can differentiate your business in competitive bidding processes. Our sustainable procurement support helps businesses build evidence of supply chain management that meets these requirements.

Carbon reporting requirements are also tightening. Many businesses now need to report Scope 3 emissions and demonstrate reduction plans. Supporting suppliers to reduce their emissions provides tangible evidence of progress. Our net-zero program for carbon reporting compliance helps businesses measure and manage supply chain emissions effectively.

Finally, businesses should think about how innovation funding fits with their wider sustainability strategy. Innocent’s fund supports its 2040 net zero target, circular packaging goals, and sustainable sourcing commitments. The fund is not an isolated initiative but part of a broader approach. UK businesses should similarly ensure that supplier investment aligns with their overall environmental and commercial objectives.

Further information on agricultural emissions and supply chain sustainability

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provides guidance on sustainable farming practices and environmental land management schemes through its official website. The UK Food Security Report offers analysis of climate risks to food supply chains and resilience strategies.

For businesses managing carbon reporting, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides the international standard for measuring and managing emissions, including Scope 3 supply chain emissions. The Procurement Policy Note 06/21 sets out requirements for carbon reduction plans in public sector supply chains.

Businesses seeking to improve supplier sustainability can also reference the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, which publishes research on supply chain decarbonisation and resilience strategies.