The story of McDonald's 10-year quest for sustainable beef

clock • 16 min read
The story of McDonald's 10-year quest for sustainable beef

A decade ago, the hamburger giant announced it would transform how it procures its most vital ingredient. It's made progress, although you still can’t buy 'sustainable beef'

Ten years ago in January, McDonald's announced it would begin sourcing "verifiable, sustainable beef" for its hamburgers. At the time, the fast-food giant didn't have a definition of "sustainable beef"...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Supply chain

 UK supermarkets to fall short of 2025 deforestation-free soy target

UK supermarkets to fall short of 2025 deforestation-free soy target

WWF's latest Soy Scorecard shows that despite efforts to curb deforestation related to soy supply chains, industry targets are set to be missed this year

clock 16 October 2025 • 4 min read
'Concerning news': Marine Conservation Society confirms drop in sustainability rating for key fisheries

'Concerning news': Marine Conservation Society confirms drop in sustainability rating for key fisheries

Latest Good Fish Guide 2025 offers consumers, retailers, and policymakers latest science-backed advice for embracing and promoting sustainable fishing practices

clock 15 October 2025 • 3 min read
The isolation paradox: How to safeguard Indigenous Peoples who refuse contact

The isolation paradox: How to safeguard Indigenous Peoples who refuse contact

Indigenous Peoples manage over a third of the world's remaining intact forest - it is critical their rights are protected, writes Forest Stewardship Council International's director-general Subhra Battacharjee

Subhra Battacharjee, FSC International
clock 10 October 2025 • 4 min read