Untapped Opportunities: Assessment Food Systems in Nationally Determined Contributions
22 March 2022
Integrating food systems transformation into the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — national climate actions at the heart of the Paris Agreement — is critical to delivering on interconnected ecological, biodiversity, health, economic, social, and cultural goals. Taking a food systems approach builds climate resilience and results in a diversity of context-specific solutions for food production, distribution, consumption, and waste. Yet, food systems are rarely prioritized in climate policy.
In Untapped Opportunities for Climate Action: An Assessment of Food Systems in Nationally Determined Contributions, the Global Alliance for the Future of Food comprehensively assesses how 14 countries have incorporated food systems into their NDCs to date. Designed as a toolkit for policymakers and other interested stakeholders, the assessments, country case studies, framework, and summary report that make up the full suite of materials highlight the many opportunities for governments to use food systems transformation to drive significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as well as other health, environmental, and social benefits.
Summary Report: Assessment of Food Systems in NDCs
This report presents the main findings of the research and provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities for promoting food systems transformation through NDCs. In applying an Assessment Framework to the NDCs of the 14 countries, various entry points and opportunities for action are identified.
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Assessment Framework: A Practical Guide
This guide presents a framework designed to enable users to take a food systems approach to developing future NDCs and implementing climate policies. A food systems approach allows for a more informed discussion and decision-making process that can address food systems comprehensively, minimize trade-offs, and maximize synergies toward climate, health, and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Discover moreThe 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. The 14 countries were selected based on geographical and economic balance, mitigation potential, adaptation needs, and food security concerns. Each individual country assessment provides an overview of food systems in the respective country, assesses the extent to which the most recently submitted NDC reflects a food systems approach and outlines areas of improvement and opportunity.
Assessments are available in Chinese, English, French, German and Spanish according to the respective market.
Case Studies: Confronting the Climate Crisis
This document presents clear and compelling evidence for how food systems can contribute creative solutions to climate change. The catalogue of case studies demonstrates all that can be achieved when the public, private, and philanthropic sectors work with actors across the food system to advance actions that transform the status quo.
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