Food Systems Insight Brief: Trends in NDC Partnership Support

The world’s food system isn’t working. 10% of the global population faces hunger, while 30% of food produced is lost or wasted. At the same time, food systems account for about one-third of global GHG emissions and 60% of biodiversity loss over the past 50 years. Meeting Paris Agreement goals requires transforming agriculture and food systems.

A new Insight Brief, developed by the NDC Partnership Support Unit with Climate Focus and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), summarizes food systems trends and challenges.

The lack of universal definitions of food systems and limited tailored and targeted financing present significant challenges to strengthening and scaling support for integrating food systems into climate action. However, opportunities exist to strengthen support by adopting a holistic societal perspective — such as focusing on the transition to healthy, sustainable diets — and improving practical policy approaches, like strengthening coordination across ministries and support programs.

Given the important role food systems play in reducing GHG emissions and achieving climate-resilient and sustainable development, prioritizing them within the NDC context is essential in realizing bold, effective climate action.