Untapped Opportunities for Climate Action: An Assessment of Food Systems in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste account for nearly a third of total global greenhouse gas emissions. However, food systems are generally absent from most countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. A missed opportunity as changing the way we produce and consume food could cut at least one-fifth of the emissions needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.

Together with Solidaridad and The Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Climate Focus has assessed how 14 countries have incorporated food systems in their NDCs. These assessments, along with a summary report, highlight the opportunities for governments to use food systems transformation to drive significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as well as other health, environmental, and social benefits.

Please find the full package of assessments and case studies on The Global Alliance for the Future of Food website.

The most recent Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 14 countries were assessed to understand the extent to which food systems have been integrated into these climate action plans.

Countries include:

• Bangladesh
• Canada
• China
• Colombia
• Egypt
• France
• Germany
• Kenya
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vanuatu

You can find country reports in other languages along with case studies on futureoffood.org.