The food systems countdown report 2023

GAIN, FAO (2023) The food systems countdown report 2023 

# 18 p.

This policy brief – the first in a planned annual series – presents the Countdown indicators depicting the current state of national food systems. In doing so, it provides a starting point for future work to identify where things can be done better, provide ideas for how to get there, and inspire stakeholders (in particular, policymakers) that progress can and must be made.

GAIN, IFPRI, FAO (2023) The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030 # 30 p.

19 December 2023. Rome/London - "The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030", published today by The Food Systems Countdown to 2030 Initiative (FSCI), provides the first science-based monitoring to guide decision-makers as they seek wholesale transformation of the global agriculture and food systems. This transformation is needed urgently both to reduce the environmental impact of these systems and to mitigate the impact of climate change on them. The overarching objective is that all people – especially the most vulnerable – have equitable access to healthy diets through sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems.

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world’s food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of national income, and each highlights a specific aspiration for healthy, sustainable and just food systems. The Food Systems Countdown Initiative will track food systems annually to 2030, amending the framework as new indicators or better data emerge.

The UN Food Systems Summit catalysed agriculture and food system action, though policymakers often lack the data required to drive critical decisions. The FSCI is filling that gap, having identified an indicator framework composed of 50 indicators that monitor agriculture and food systems at a global level, using existing data to enable immediate action. Repurposing existing data, rather than carrying out time-consuming new research, means policymakers have quick access to relevant information.

Following this first global baseline, the FSCI will track agriculture and food systems annually until 2030, updating the framework as needed where new indicators or better data emerge.

“The first annual Countdown report shows that no single region has all the answers. Europe and North America do well on undernutrition but poorly on indicators of unhealthy diets. In contrast, Africa and South Asia do relatively well on some environmental indicators but poorly on indicators of livelihoods. The data show very clearly that every region has significant room for improvement.” Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition

Publications November - December 2023

 Agrifood systems and Climate

In the framework of COP28 (the UN Climate Change Conference), the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF) and the Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A) released a joint report, 

AEF, CAP-A (2023) Realising the full potential of carbon pricing and markets: Opportunities for the Africa-Europe Partnership, # 33 p. 

This report is outlining the reasons why carbon pricing and subsequent trading is a win-win opportunity to advance global climate action and achieve socio-economic growth.

GAIN, IFPRI, FAO (2023) The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030 Nature Food # 30 p.

This article (released 19/12) provides the first science-based monitoring to guide decision-makers as they seek wholesale transformation of the global agriculture and food systems. This transformation is needed urgently both to reduce the environmental impact of these systems and to mitigate the impact of climate change on them. It presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. 

GAIN, FAO (2023) The food systems countdown report 2023 # 18 p.

This policy brief – the first in a planned annual series – presents the Countdown indicators depicting the current state of national food systems. In doing so, it provides a starting point for future work to identify where things can be done better, provide ideas for how to get there, and inspire stakeholders (in particular, policymakers) that progress can and must be made. Read the summary of the policy brief # 3 p.

“The first annual Countdown report shows that no single region has all the answers. Europe and North America do well on undernutrition but poorly on indicators of unhealthy diets. In contrast, Africa and South Asia do relatively well on some environmental indicators but poorly on indicators of livelihoods. The data show very clearly that every region has significant room for improvement.” Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition

FAO (2023) The State of Food and Agriculture 2023. Revealing the true cost of food to transformagrifood systems # 150 p.
FAO. 2023. In Brief to The State of Food and Agriculture 2023. Revealing the true cost of food to transform agrifood systems. Rome. # 28 p.

This year's edition looks into the true cost of food for sustainable agrifood systems. The report introduces the concept of hidden environmental, health and social costs and benefits of agrifood systems and proposes an approach – true cost accounting (TCA) – to assess them. To operationalize the TCA approach, the report proposes a two-phase assessment process, first relying on national-level TCA assessments to raise awareness and then moving towards in-depth and targeted evaluations to prioritize solutions and guide transformative actions.

FAO (2023) Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold A Global Roadmap

# 42 pages

Unveiled at the United Nations Climate Conference COP28, the Global Roadmap for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) without Breaching the 1.5°C Threshold outlines a comprehensive strategy spanning the next three years that encompasses a diverse portfolio of solutions across ten distinct domains of action. The roadmap identifies 120 actions and key milestones within ten domains, supported by evidence gathered by FAO over several years. These domains include clean energy, crops, fisheries and aquaculture, food loss and waste, forests and wetlands, healthy diets, livestock, soil and water, and data and inclusive policies — the latter two identified as overall systemic enablers.

GOGLA (2023) Powering Climate Adaptation and Justice’ # 50 p.

The paper illustrates how Decentralized Renewable Energy is contributing to resilience building, the injustices of climate vulnerability and energy poverty and profiles the urgent need to address these interlinked challenge. See also recorded COP28 webinar: 02/12 Powering Climate Adaptation: The critical Role of Decentralized Renewable Energy in Africa

FAO (2023) Catalysing climate solutions An introduction to FAO’s work on climate change adaptation in agrifood systems. # 85 pages

The paper (a) emphasizes the importance of bringing agrifood systems into the global adaptation agenda and policy landscape; (b) creates a cross-sectoral portfolio of FAO adaptation solutions covering multiple scales and approaches; (c) gives an insight into FAO's work with partners and Members and presents relevant networks and collaborations.Laying out FAO’s guiding principles according to the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031, it underscores FAO’s efforts for transformative action in agrifood systems and demonstrates FAO's people-centered approach to climate change adaptation.

FAO (2023) COP28 Agriculture, Food and Climate National Action Tool kit. Taking stock of good

practices, initiatives, and tools for food system transformation through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans # 42 pages

A task force, including WWF, Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Climate Focus, NDC Partnership, FAO, Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, synthesised all guidance material available and lessons learned on NDC and NAP implementation for food system transformation. The “COP 28 Agriculture, Food and Climate Action Toolkit” developed serves as a key resource for national policymakers and decision-makers aiming to accelerate and align national efforts on climate action and food and agriculture system transformation. See also recorded COP28 webinar: 8/12 The Global Stock take: An opportunity to accelerate food systems transformation through enhanced NDCs

WWF (2023) Analysis of the Implications of Africa’s Food Systems Development on Environmental Sustainability, # 86 pages

This report was as jointly commissioned by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The report analyses the main trends and drivers of Africa’s food systems, how food systems have responded to these drivers, and what the resulting environmental impacts of these responses have been across the continent. It identifies policy-levers for engagement in the food systems space and concludes with recommendations on how to move away from an unsustainable “business as usual” trajectory. See also recorded COP28 webinar

IPES (2023) From Plate to Planet # 33 p.

This new IPES food report exposes how city and regional governments are leading the way on real food and climate action, even as national governments lag – with dozens of inspiring examples of effective action on-the-ground. Examples are drawn from signatories of the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration. It shows how local governments are pioneering policies on food and climate change through dozens of inspiring examples on the ground, including: promoting healthy and sustainable diets, reducing food waste, shortening food chains, training organic farmers, and ensuring all residents can access healthy and sustainable food.

GDPRD. Woodhill, J. & Surie, M. (2023),

From Rhetoric to reality: Donor coordination for food
systems transformation. Rome: Global Donor Platform for Rural Development.

The GDPRD initiated a review of good practices for donor coordination for food systems transformation and rural development in July 2022. The report summarizes the main research that has emerged from this workstream, and puts forth eight recommendations for donors to consider and adopt. There are also background and context chapters on the evolution of donor coordination over the past few decades.

USAID (2023) Operationalizing USAID’s Climate Strategy to Achieve Transformative Adaptation and Mitigation in Agricultural and Food Systems # 101 p.

Effective operationalization of the Climate Strategy within USAID’s agricultural and food security portfolio requires significant organizational change. Five recommendations describe changes that will better position USAID to achieve Climate Strategy objectives through its agrifood systems programming based on an informed understanding of the status quo, the ambition of the Climate Strategy, and significant consultation with USAID staff across the Agency.  The report presents  high-potential leverage points: • Empower Women, Youth, and Other Underrepresented Groups to Drive Locally Led, Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems • Increase Finance for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation and Expand its Inclusivity • Enable the Use and Sustained Provision of Weather and Climate Services • Partner with and Strengthen Local Research and Development Systems • Expand Integrated Soil and Water Resources Management • Expand Integrated Forest and Agricultural Land Management • Reduce Livestock Emissions while Increasing Production Efficiency • Reduce Food Loss and Waste

Climate finance

AFDB (2023) Climate related funds and initiatives at the African Development Bank # 30 p.

Climate Focus (2023) Untapped Potential: An analysis of international public climate finance flows to sustainable agriculture and family farmers # 14 p.

This report conducted by Climate Focus and published by the World Rural Forum sheds light on inequities in funding to address climate change. Despite family farmers producing a third of the world's food, only a mere 0.3% of the international climate finance has been directed to them.

Galbiati, G.M., Yoshida, M., Benni, N. & Bernoux, M. (2023). 

Climate-related development finance to agrifood systems – Global and regional trends between 2000 and 2021. Rome, FAO. # 52 pages

The analysis brings to light the evolution of climate finance in agrifood systems over the past two decades, showcasing unique sectorial analysis of climate finance allocations for adaptation and mitigation, delving into the diversity of actors involved, from bilateral and multilateral agencies to the private sector, highlighting the critical need for partnerships that transcend boundaries. The report mentions that according to a recent analysis from the Climate Policy Initiative, only 4 percent of global climate finance went to agrifood systems between 2019 and 2020.

Research and Innovation

FAO /CIRAD (2023) Harvesting change: Harnessing emerging technologies and innovations for agrifood system transformation. Global foresight synthesis report. # 76 p.

The study assesses a selection of technologies and innovations, which potentially could be of paramount importance in addressing agrifood challenges until 2050, as well as the most important trends and drivers that will influence the emergence of agrifood technologies and innovations and their triggers of change, including some regional aspects.

Global Panel (2023) Pursuing food system transformation despite financial constraints policy brief September 2023 # 19 pages

This latest policy brief from the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition sets out a surprisingly diverse range of actions that are relatively low-cost, or even cost-neutral. Indeed, some have the potential to leverage very substantial resources beyond those available to individual governments. Taken together, these actions may not be sufficient to fully deliver on the food-system transformation, but they will provide a solid and substantial foundation on which to build a broader coherent strategy. See also recorded webinar and some extracts of this report

EC (2023) Food 2030 Research and Innovation – Pathways for action 2.0: Research and innovation policy as a driver for sustainable, healthy, climate-resilient and inclusive food systems # 160 p.

This publication provides an update on the European Commission’s Food 2030 initiative and aims to guide future research and innovation policy reflections related to Horizon Europe, the farm-to-fork strategy, the European Green Deal and beyond. It sets out eleven pathways for action where research and innovation can concretely deliver co-benefits related to nutrition, climate, circularity, and communities, at multiple levels: from local to international. See extracts from the report in a blogpost.

Nutrition

ATNI (2023) India Index 2023. Full report. November 2023. # 115 p.

The findings of the 2023 India Index show that the influence of the F&B industry is growing. It has both the responsibility and the opportunity to further embed nutrition into its core business improving product offerings for consumers. Actioning the Index recommendations is critical in the current context and will facilitate F&B manufacturers to play a more vital part in addressing pressing nutrition-related concerns and ensuring that a healthy, affordable diet is available to all. See some extracts in a blogpost on the presentation of the report: Assessment of the 20 top food and beverage companies in India

GAIN/ATNI (2022) The Nutrition Business Monitoring tool A self-assessment tool for Micro-, Small-, and Medium-sized enterprises to improve performance on nutrition # 49 p.

SMEs are at the frontline when it comes to supplying food to low-income groups and have the capacity to drive change in food consumption patterns at a rapid pace – e.g., SMEs are found to provide 70% of food to low-income populations in Africa. They therefore have enormous potential to improve the diets and health of consumers on a global scale through incorporating nutrition into their business models and practices, in turn improving the availability and accessibility of healthy nutritious foods for consumers in their local markets. The NBM tool consists of 27 scored and unscored indicators, grouped into 5 thematic areas – products & management, marketing, workforce programs, labeling, and engagement.

FAO (2023) Climate action and nutrition. Pathways to impact. # 44 p.

This paper, prepared as a contribution to the Initiative on Climate Change and Nutrition (I-CAN), explores options for integrated actions addressing jointly climate change and malnutrition across agrifood, water, social protection, and health systems by recapping each system’s importance to good nutrition, compiling the evidence on the interaction of each system with climate change, and documenting the response options for integrated actions that have the potential to benefit climate change and malnutrition.

African Centre for Biodiversity (2023) Introduction to ultra-processed food (UPF) # 14 p.

In this series focusing on ultra-processed food (UPF) on the African continent, the African Centre for Biodiversity explores the impacts of shifting dietary patterns, with increasing reliance on low-cost UPFs globally, and in Africa in particular, in the context of an urgent call for a just, agroecological food system transition. In the first part of the series, the African Centre for Biodiversity attempts to succinctly describe and define UPF, how it differs from other foods and outline the major concerns with UPF. In this second part, the African Centre for Biodiversity delves into the consumption of UPF in Africa: shifting dietary patterns linked to food environments and personal motivations; where foods are purchased and the role of policy in shaping food accessibility and affordability.

Digital Agriculture

GFRAS (2023) Recent Trends in Contemporary Digital Rural Advisory Services

# 32 p.

Digitalization is considered the avenue to reach the 500 million smallholders that deserve better livelihoods and improved resilience against the adverse consequences of climate change and other environmental threats. As a contribution to the global discussion around this theme, the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) seeks to determine what kind of agricultural extension will be needed in the future to overcome today’s challenges.

Livestock

Gerber, P.J., Steinfeld, H., Henderson, B., Mottet, A., Opio, C., Dijkman, J., Falcucci, A. & Tempio, G. 2013. Tackling climate change through livestock – A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome. # 139 pages

This report identifies ways of reducing emissions by assessing the mitigation potential of sets of technologies. Such analysis provides guidance for local and system-specific solutions, as sector actors seek to improve sustainability and viability, but also for more targeted pro-poor livestock development

FAO (2023) Methane emissions in livestock and rice systems Sources, quantification, mitigation and metrics # 352 pages

Addressing methane emissions from livestock and rice systems is vital for promoting sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate change. This FAO report comprehensively addresses methane emissions in agriculture and their impact on global greenhouse gas levels. By analysing sources, sinks, quantification methods, and mitigation strategies, this publication highlights challenges and opportunities to reduce methane emissions from livestock and rice production systems.

Harvesting change: Harnessing emerging technologies and innovations for agrifood system transformation

FAO /CIRAD (2023)  Harvesting change: Harnessing emerging technologies and innovations for agrifood system transformation. Global foresight synthesis report. #76 p.

FAO’s Office of Innovation is working with partners on an FAO Chief Scientist initiative on Foresight on emerging agrifood technologies and innovations, aligned with the UN 2.0 process and the FOFA 2022: engaging all key actors of agricultural innovation systems in the foresight on emerging technologies and innovations to better prepare for alternative futures, feeding it into anticipatory action, and convening the global community for constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange. The aim is to support policymakers, investors and innovation actors in their approaches and decision-making.

The study assesses a selection of technologies and innovations, which potentially could be of paramount importance in addressing agrifood challenges until 2050, as well as the most important trends and drivers that will influence the emergence of agrifood technologies and innovations and their triggers of change, including some regional aspects. The goal is also to build plausible future scenarios for the evolvement of the emerging technologies and innovations in the future with the time horizon of 2050 to inform future-oriented policymaking.

20 December 2023. 14:30 – 15:30 CET. Scaling Innovation: Multiple Models for Taking Impact to Scale by FAO

Webinar Objectives:

1. 
   Share diverse perspectives on scaling innovation, including from UN Global Pulse, VentureWell (a non-profit incubator and accelerator agency), FAO’s Digital Innovation Hubs and FAO Incubator.
2. Facilitate discussion on the difficulties of scaling through the “valley of death”, where an innovation’s continued development is hindered by a lack of support, funding, and general adoption.
3. Reflect on models for scaling innovation, including Public Private Partnerships, scaling through Government, and commercial models for scale.

COP28's Food Day

10 December 2023. COP28's Food Day highlighted the essential link between food systems and climate action, emphasizing diverse stakeholder involvement and urging private sector contributions to sustainable food systems.

The global recognition of food as a vital component in the fight against climate change is evident at COP28.. Acknowledging the indispensable role of farmers and Indigenous peoples in food system transformation, the recently signed Emirates Declaration on sustainable agriculture by 152 countries marks a significant achievement.

10/12 AIM for Climate: Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation

Key announcements on food systems transformation during Food, Agriculture and Water Day:

COP28's Food, Agriculture, and Water Day witnessed significant global initiatives addressing water scarcity and food security, notably the endorsement of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food Systems, and Climate Action by 152 countries, mobilizing over $7.1 billion for climate-positive measures in the food sector.

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4Climate) The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4Climate) announced an increased $3.4 billion in aggregated funding for climate-smart food systems and agriculture, as well as 27 new innovation sprints. Launched by the UAE and US at COP26, AIM4Climate has evolved into the largest advocacy and coordination platform for increased investment in dual climate-food investment. Philanthropic funders announced USD $389 million to support food producers and consumers. The funding will help to drive ambitious implementation of the objectives that leaders agreed in the Declaration. 

Technical Cooperation Collaborative (TCC) Building on a USD $200 million commitment from the COP28 Presidency and a group of international organizations and governments to support the TCC, Italy pledged a further commitment of up to EUR €10 million to be made available over the next two years, and the United Kingdom announced a new commitment of GBP 45 million over the next five years which will be channeled through the World Bank's Food Systems 2030 Trust Fund.

Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership Over 200 diverse non-State actors – including farmers, cities, businesses, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies – have signed the Call to Action for Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate
Convergence Initiative on Food Systems and Climate. This will support countries in their efforts to integrate agriculture and food systems into their climate action plans and help drive momentum towards the objectives of the Declaration. The initiative is supported by the UN/FAO Food Systems Coordination Hub. 

Agrifood Sharm-El Sheikh Support Program. FAO, the World Bank, CGIAR and IFAD announced the creation of the Agrifood Sharm-El Sheikh Support Program, a three-year program to facilitate dialogue and knowledgesharing amongst global and regional policymakers. The program aims to drive consensus within the UNFCCC process and ultimately enable countries and regions to unlock finance and support for farmers, food producers, small agribusinesses and local communities.

Food-Agri-Climate National Action Toolkit for National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs) A taskforce comprised of the FAO, WWF, the NDC Partnership, Climate Focus and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food launched the Toolkit. Created in collaboration with the German government, the toolkit will provide guiding principles for governments to enhance their climate policy frameworks and represents a vital resource for countries as they implement the Declaration.  See also: WWF Pavilion at COP28

Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF) A new coalition was formed by Brazil, Cambodia, Norway, Cambodia and Rwanda and Sierra Leone aimed at helping reorient policies, practices and investment priorities to deliver better food systems outcomes for people, nature and climate.

COP ministerial dialogue on building water-resilient food systems Ministers from more than 25 countries convened the first-ever COP ministerial dialogue on building water-resilient food systems, co-convened by the UAE and Brazil. A two-year partnership was also launched under the UNFCCC to assist countries with integrating water and food into their NDCs and NAP, targeting COP30, noting that agriculture accounts for 70 percent of freshwater consumption. 

Water and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investment Strategy USD $100 million was announced by Water Equity, raised as part of their Water and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investment Strategy.

Urban Water Catalyst Initiative (UWCI) At COP28, EUR 42 million in funding was announced for the UWCI including EUR 32 million from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and EUR 10 million from the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Freshwater Challenge  Thirty-three countries signed up to The Freshwater Challenge, which aims to ensure 300,000 kilometers of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands are committed to restoration by 2030. Stuart Orr, WWF Freshwater Lead said: "the climate crisis is a water crisis and the COP28 Presidency has ensured that water is higher up the agenda than ever before. We urgently need to protect and restore our rivers, lakes and wetlands, which are central to mitigation and adaptation.”

South African Pavilion at COP28

South African Pavilion at COP28, provided the global community with evidence that multi-sector collaboration in Africa is working to mitigate the effects of climate change, transforming economies, building resilient societies in a just, equitable manner and ensuring no one is left behind.

COP28 marked the sixth South African Pavilion, showcasing the collaboration between government and business in the fight against climate change. The first joint Pavilion was at COP23 in Bonn, Germany, followed by COP24 in Katowice, Poland, COP25 in Madrid, Spain, COP26 in Glasgow, UK and COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, respectively.

Extracts of the programme

02/12 Catalysing Climate Adaptation & Resilience Innovation in Africa – Session 4 (day 3)

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and BFA Global Catalyst Fund

03/12 Unlocking Innovative, Inclusive Finance to Support the African Agricultural Sector to Adapt and Transform – Session 5 (day 4)

09/12 Nature-based Solutions to Mitigating Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change – Session 3

10/12 The Food, Water and Gender Nexus – Session 1 

Host: South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

10/12 Food Systems Transformation and Climate Resilience - Session 6 

by IDH Sustainable Trade

NDC Partnership pavilion at COP 28

2 - 10 December 2023. NDC Partnership pavilion. The NDC Partnership brings together more than 200 members, including more than 120 countries, developed and developing, and more than 80 institutions to create and deliver on ambitious climate action that help achieve the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Extracts of the programme

03/12 Reflecting product energy efficiency in Sub-Saharan African countries’ NDCs

This event raised awareness on and discussed the opportunities resulting from reflecting product energy efficiency targets and policies in Sub-Saharan African countries’ NDCs.

It will showcase achievements in building vibrant markets for efficient products in the region, including the adoption of regionally harmonized and ambitious MEPS for lighting and cooling products by the SADC and EAC regions, one of other policies and activities, led by the Ministries of Energy, supported by the Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances (EELA) project in East and Southern Africa, a project funded by the Government of Sweden through Sida, and implemented by UNIDO, EACREEE, and SACREEE, with SEA and CLASP as technical partners. The EELA project is planned to expand to the ECOWAS region in its second phase.

03/12 Neglected opportunities to implement NDCs in food systems: Incorporating youth employment and women’s empowerment in African countries

By Netherlands Development Organisation
Co-organized by: South South North (SSN), World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN); Coalition for Action for Soil Health (CA4SH);

Youth and Gender are mentioned in three quarters of NDCs but many times it is a throwaway phrase and it doesn't have any meaningful implementation or money behind it! This event was a call to action for member states to pick up these and other neglected opportunities to transform Food Systems. The panel also explored entry points for local actors to ensure their role in the practical operationalization of NDCs. Recommendations included topics like soil health, sustainable livestock, youth employment, land tenure and women empowerment.

03/12 Pathways to Financing, Scaling & Accelerating NDC Ambitions in Energy & Food Systems

Organized by CGIAR and SNV, Netherlands, Kenya; Global Alliance for the Future of Food (GAFF), African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES), Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), IKEA Foundation, Equity Bank, Rabobank, African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) 

While it's clear from recent NDC reports on the urgency and importance of making our energy and food systems climate resilient, the pathway to financing, scaling and accelerating the transformation is not. This event highlighted two keynote speakers to present philanthropic and financing initiatives at the forefront of mobilizing investments for fossil-free, regenerative food systems and reducing food loss & waste that work for people and the planet. 

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food (GAFF) shared highlights from a new report, which maps how food and energy systems are intertwined, quantifies the fossil fuel dependency of food systems, and explained why these two systems are crucial to keeping global warming below 1.5C. FMO will underscore the Paris Agreement and food security connection, and share methodologies & current practices including the use of biowaste for energy generation to reduce food waste and reduce fossil fuel dependency. 

A high-level mixed panel of governments, commercial and equity banks, policymakers and agri-business representatives discussed some recommendations and advocate for policymakers and funders to collaborate more effectively across food and energy issues. Special attention was given to farmer-centric and inclusive approaches to regenerative food systems via a nexus approach that integrates the productive use of renewable energy.

04/12 Long-term Climate Vision and Development Strategies - Lessons from Senegal and Nigeria

Organized by Senegal and Nigeria, France (AFD)

The IPCC documents an increasing gap between current global greenhouse gas emissions and trajectories compatible with the 1.5°C goal in the Paris Agreement. The agreement proposes Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) as a key instrument to align national climate ambitions with the global climate goal, and the achievement of climate with national development goals. Only a few African countries have submitted LT-LEDS to-date. 

Going forward, LT-LEDS in African countries must align climate and development objectives by considering national circumstances and challenges, including low energy access, industrialization needs and high vulnerability to economic- and climate shocks and climate resilience. In the context of just transition, LT-V and LT-LEDS development requires a strong buy-in from national stakeholders, a policy-relevant degree of details on long-term priorities, and a nationally led and country owned process of elaboration. Building on lessons learnt in the ongoing project in Nigeria and Senegal, this event will discuss challenges with building LTV and LT-LEDS in an African context, and how to ensure that LTV and LT-LEDS can effectively support the achievement of climate and multi-scale development objectives. Furthermore, the event will also discuss how LTV and LT-LEDS can be useful in structuring international financial cooperation in support of its implementation.

• Senegal /Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition. Madeleine DIOUF (MEDDTE); 
• Senegal/Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE); 
• Nigeria/Ministry of Environment Nigeria (tbc);
• Senegal/Enda Energie (Samba FALL); 
• Nigeria/Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCD): Chukwumerije Okereke; 
• France/IDDRI; France/AFD; 2050 Platform Pathways

05/12 National actions for climate and food: Launch of new NDC guidance tool for Agriculture and Food Systems

By German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

This high-level side event officially launched the NDC guidance tool on agriculture and food systems. The tool offers guidance to policy makers and practitioners to support the implementation of policies, governance, and on the ground measures that enable systematic shifts in agriculture and food systems to meet NDC targets and enhance mitigation of GHG in the food sector.

  

09/12 Unlocking Quality Climate Finance for Agrifood Systems

Organized by FAO

Recent analysis show that Agrifood systems receive only 4.3% of total climate finance despite being responsible for up to 37% of global GHG emissions. As collective efforts are redefining the financial goal to support the achievement of targets at country level, it is crucial that climate finance takes into consideration not only the quantity but also the quality of its investments. The event explored the importance and impact of putting in place proper knowledge sharing and capacity building activities to enhance access to finance to the most vulnerable, data transparency, and relevant policy making as building blocks to stronger climate investments to accelerate agrifood systems transformation.

09/12 Advancing Sustainable Food Systems: A Pathway to Climate Resilience 

 Advancing sustainable food systems represents a crucial pathway to building climate resilience in our ever-changing world. These systems not only provide nourishment but are also key to mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts. As the world grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and food and nutrition security, the need for sustainable food systems has never been more pressing. Achieving sustainable food systems through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets requires a holistic approach that integrates food and agriculture into climate action plans, promotes sustainable practices, reduces emissions, and enhances resilience to climate change. This interactive side event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore innovative approaches and best practices in building climate-resilient food systems. 

The event was a collaboration of various stakeholders, including farmers, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations, to implement sustainable food system initiatives effectively. By embracing sustainable agricultural practices, conserving biodiversity, respecting indigenous knowledge, promoting healthier diets, empowering communities, and fostering global cooperation, we can create resilient food systems capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a warming planet.

 

09/12 Roundtable: NDC for Food Systems – what next after COP 28

By FAO/CGIAR/RF/IFAD 

The Roundtable Dialogue addressed how the newly launched NDC Guidance for Agriculture and Food Systems can bolster these endeavors and contribute to the strong and ambitious actions required at national level to achieve a 1.5 degree Celsius target. The event will bring together high-level representatives from member states, UN Entities, science and donor organisations.

09/12 Scaling up inclusive climate action through private sector engagement in agriculture and land-use 

By UNDP and FAO

Recognizing the critical need for transformation in agriculture and food systems to achieve the 1.5°C target and to strengthen resilience to climate change, the event will address some of the barriers hindering progress, by zooming in challenges such as insufficient private sector engagement, climate finance gaps and the need for inclusive decision-making. Government action is crucial, as it can create an enabling environment for engaging the private sector, incentivizing private investment, and ensuring inclusive decision-making that prioritizes marginalized groups.

 Bringing together government, civil society, indigenous communities, private sector and donor representatives, this event showcased country-level approaches, discussed mitigate barriers and risks, explored the needed regulatory measures, and underscored the importance of private sector engagement and inclusive decision-making in climate action to move towards more effective, equitable, and sustainable climate solutions.

 

10/12 Coordinating National Responses on Climate and Nature - NDCs and NBSAPs Alignment By WWF 

 This high level event explored approaches for both NDC and NBSAP enhancement; and Parties can consolidate and coordinate these efforts. The experiences in biodiverse rich countries can provide a blueprint for how to implement these actions and NDC partnership countries from the diverse regions will join to illustrate this in practice.

WWF Pavilion at COP28

2 - 10 December 2023 The WWF Pavilion at COP28 hosted a wide array of events on topics ranging from the much-needed phase-out of fossil fuels to food systems, finance, forests and nature-based solutions.

WWF’s Food expectations paper for COP28 is available here, and all WWF’s climate-focused food work information is here: www.panda.org/food_and_climate . 
All events of the #PandaHub   were streamed and archived on the WWF YouTube channel.

Extract of the programme

02/12 Tackling Climate Change in Africa's Protected Areas

WWF’s Regional Office for Africa (ROA) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) wish to leverage the COP28 WWF Pavilion’s Africa Day to showcase the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas (CAPA) Initiative, funded by Canada’s Partnering for Climate funding envelope. The event highlighted the critical role of nature and Nature-based Climate Solutions (NBCS) in tackling climate change in Africa’s Protected Areas and the international partnerships on adaptation and nature that have been facilitated by Canada’s ambitious climate commitment.

02/12 Powering Climate Adaptation: The critical Role of Decentralized Renewable Energy in Africa

Energy is an enabler of several Adaptation Agenda goals, including the expansion of sustainable irrigation, increasing crop yields through climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture, halving losses in food production, providing basic and essential community services and enabling access to the tools and information required to integrate climate risks into decision making. The latest IPCC adaptation and vulnerability report recognised that there was a strong evidence of the role of Decentralised renewable Energy in reducing vulnerability to climate change especially among rural populations. Despite its contribution to adaptation, it is estimated that 70-80 percent of people without access to clean and renewable energy reside in Africa as this remains a significant obstacle to socioeconomic / /resilience building in the region.

The African Development Bank’s High 5 on Light Up and Power Africa aim to help Africa achieve universal electricity access by 2025 with a focus on encouraging clean and renewable energy solutions. The African Union Commission in its 2063 Agenda of the Africa we want equally emphasizes that energy is a bedrock for Africa’s development and therefore the need for increased effort is required in ensuring affordable and reliable access. According to the AUC, Africa will need 25 billion in investment annually to meet its energy targets.

This side-event was an opportunity to harness collaboration amongst partners to promote renewable energy solutions for adaptation in Africa. The event highlighted the findings of a recent paper by WWF and partners titled ‘GOGLA (2023) Powering Climate Adaptation and Justice’  # 50 p.

The paper illustrates how Decentralized Renewable Energy is contributing to resilience building, the injustices of climate vulnerability and energy poverty and profiles the urgent need to address these interlinked challenge.

02/12 Scaling up tangible NbS for adaptation initiatives in Africa

This event highlighted evidence on NbS for adaptation investment in Africa on finance, policy, partnerships and large scale implementation that will serve as a model for scaling up in Africa and beyond.

05/12 National actions for climate and food: Launch of new NDC guidance tool for Agriculture and Food Systems

By German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)


This high-level side event officially launched the NDC guidance tool on agriculture and food systems. The tool offers guidance to policy makers and practitioners to support the implementation of policies, governance, and on the ground measures that enable systematic shifts in agriculture and food systems to meet NDC targets and enhance mitigation of GHG in the food sector.

  

8/12 The Global Stock take: An opportunity to accelerate food systems transformation through enhanced NDCs

The Global Stocktake provided an opportunity to scale up action and provide investments for food systems transformation. This event highlighted why food systems transformation should be a key outcome for COP28, including for the Global Stocktake, and for accelerating climate action at the national level. It also presented the new and exciting NDC Guidance Tool For Food Systems, demonstrating the added value of better integrating food systems in countries’ NDCs and other national policy instruments.

• Julia Wolf, Natural Resources Officer, FAO, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Environment, commented: "The COP28 Toolkit draws upon the expertise and experience of leading organizations in the field and will certainly be an important asset for governments to rely on when implementing the Emirates Declaration.”
• Juan Lucas Restrepo, Global Director of Partnerships and Advocacy at CGIAR, and the DG of the Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT 
• Hasseb Bakhtary, Senior Consultant, Climate Focus 
• Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England.

10/12 Empowering agents of transformation: Paths towards inclusive governance for sustainable food systems

This event focused on strategies to empower agents for sustainable food system transformation. Participants will delve into the latest initiatives and policy frameworks, emphasising the need for inclusive governance aligned with international agreements on climate, biodiversity, and land degradation. 

10/12 African Voices call for Nature Positive Adaptation 

African voices campaign for better-placed food system adaptation. Maladaptation degrades the environment and increases future costs. There is an urgent need to implement effective, long-term strategies that build on biodiversity and take a landscape approach to agriculture and food systems.

10/12 Coordinating National Responses on Climate and Nature - NDCs and NBSAPs Alignment By WWF 

 This high level event explored approaches for both NDC and NBSAP enhancement; and Parties can consolidate and coordinate these efforts. The experiences in biodiverse rich countries can provide a blueprint for how to implement these actions and NDC partnership countries from the diverse regions will join to illustrate this in practice.

Related:

• COP28 food, agriculture and freshwater day wrap-up: WWF responds to key announcements
• UAE COP28 Presidency taskforce develops guidance for policymakers to incorporate actions on food production, consumption and loss and waste in NDCs and NAPs

COP28 Agriculture, Food and Climate National Action Toolkit

FAO (2023) COP28 Agriculture, Food and Climate National Action Tool kit. Taking stock of good practices, initiatives, and tools for food system transformation through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans # 42 pages

The COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda calls for accelerated food systems, agriculture and climate action and urges governments to align and integrate those actions within national strategies, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) amongst others. It is built upon four pillars, covering national leadership, non-state actors, scaling up innovation, and finance as critical enablers to climate-resilient food system transformation.

This task force, including WWF, Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Climate Focus, NDC Partnership, FAO, Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, synthesised all guidance material available and lessons learned on NDC and NAP implementation for food system transformation. 

The “COP 28 Agriculture, Food and Climate Action Toolkit” developed serves as a key resource for national policymakers and decision-makers aiming to accelerate and align national efforts on climate action and food and agriculture system transformation by 

1. providing a summary of priority actions, 
2. giving an overview of good examples of NDCs and NAPs in how they integrate agriculture and food system measures, and 
3. providing overview of existing initiatives, platforms, and tools that can help governments in developing and implementing agriculture and food system policy measures as part of their NDCs and NAPs.

Priority actions identified in the Toolkit include shifting to nature-positive food production, reducing and repurposing food loss and waste, and transitioning to nutritious and healthy diets. Only a combination of these actions will bring food-based greenhouse gas emissions within a 1.5 degrees Celsius carbon budget, and ensure that food producers can adapt to changes in what, where and how they can grow and harvest food.

Although most countries have introduced at least one food-based measure in their NDCs and NAPs, many continue to face significant challenges in holistically integrating and implementing food system measures. Most countries focus on food production, with a limited number including actions on food loss and waste, and only a handful considering consumption and diets. By identifying good examples from different parts of the world, the toolkit will support policymakers in introducing additional measures that will deliver the most impact in their own context.

By equipping policymakers and other key stakeholders with a useful set of knowledge assets, the Toolkit specifically aims to support countries in aligning food, climate and nature goals. It can help strengthen the integration and alignment of NDCs and NAPs with National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans, under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and national food systems transformation pathways, developed as part of the UN Food Systems Summit. Greater alignment can enable more effective implementation of resources and accelerate efforts to deliver the Paris Agreement, Global Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Development Goals.

See also: WWF Pavilion at COP28 

Bridging gaps in fertilizer and soil health policies for a world in crisis

28 September 2023. Bridging gaps in fertilizer and soil health policies for a world in crisis

The Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) covered a crucial webinar in partnership with the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), a specialized agency operating under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity, and Influence (PRCI).

The recording were put online 14/12/2023

The webinar explored the impact of global crises, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, on the fertilizer industry in Africa. This exploration is essential for understanding the challenges facing the continent’s agricultural sector. It examined the opportunities and obstacles in enhancing agricultural productivity in Africa, identifying key areas for intervention to unlock its agricultural potential. Additionally, the event explored a spectrum of solutions, spanning the immediate, medium-term, and long-term, to address food systems and transformation in Africa. These proposed solutions are intended to serve as guiding principles for policymakers and stakeholders in their endeavors to foster sustainable agricultural development in Africa.

 

Analysis of the Implications of Africa’s Food Systems Development on Environmental Sustainability

WWF (2023) Analysis of the Implications of Africa’s Food Systems Development on Environmental Sustainability, # 86 pages

This report was as jointly commissioned by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The report analyses the main trends and drivers of Africa’s food systems, how food systems have responded to these drivers, and what the resulting environmental impacts of these responses have been across the continent. It identifies policy-levers for engagement in the food systems space and 

concludes with recommendations on how to move away from an unsustainable “business as usual” trajectory. The analysis was largely based on a review and analysis of publicly available literature and data.

• The report is available for downloading here.
• The report has been released at a side event on COP28, held on 12th December 2023.

Dr. Claudia Ringler (see video recording @1:00:15), Director, Natural Resources and Resilience Unit of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) said: 

I looked at some numbers of agriculture growth and population growth over the last 20 years. Cereal yield growth over the last 20 years has been 1.5% per year. Total production growth of course has been larger. But most of the production growth has been still contributed from land expansion. And that's obviously goes 100% against our focus on preserving and cherishing natural capital. So we are obviously not going in the right direction.

• Cereals are doing better than other crops. And that's in part because CGIAR and partners continue to invest a little bit in agricultural research for cereals. 
• Root and tuber crops yields growth only 0.2% per year over 20 years. That's nothing, nothing. Only 4% of production growth contributed from yields. The rest from area expansion. This is obviously not going in the right direction. 
• Vegetable yield growth over the last 20 years has been negative. That doesn't mean that vegetables are shrinking. It means that there has been a shift from larger vegetables: something like  pumpkins to something smaller like peas. We obviously not doing well at all. Negative yield goes across all vegetable crops in Africa. 

And when we compare this with a population growth of 1.9% per year, over the same 20 years. What we are getting is an increased net import dependency of the continent. It continues to grow in a business as usual scenario. By 2050, 54% of what Africans consume will have to be imported. So under a business as usual scenario, things are not going better but worse. And they have been getting a lot worse. We see a very rapid increase in hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all directions, including stunting, obesity. That's maybe a parallel trend. I do not see any difference. 

I don't see any change happening. We really need to put all hands on deck. It means obviously agro ecological approaches, industrialization  approaches. But first and foremost, we do need investment in agricultural research in Africa. There's no country in the world that I have ever encountered that has been able to get agriculture growth going without investing in agricultural research. We see only one continent in the world to experiment this and that is Africa: trying to develop agricultural crops without investing in agricultural research. 

And I just wanted to put those numbers because you specifically asked for the Malabo declaration and CAADP calls. There is an agreement by all African states that 1% of GDP generated in agriculture, - where sometimes 50% of the population is engaged - should be invested in agricultural research. But in fact 44% (almost half) of all investment in agricultural research on the continent is done in only three countries: Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria. The rest is pretty much investing nothing. There has been a decline in the share of agricultural GDP that African governments are investing in research. The decline has been from 0.54%, which is far from the 1% agreement to 0.39% of Agricultural GDP that countries invest on average.  37 of 44 countries with data, obviously, are under 1%. 24% of these countries spent much less than 0.5%. 

So I'm not saying that Africa is to be blamed for that. There is a whole system to be blamed. If we want to be serious about making Africa as the food basket for the world - the potential is there - we actually have to invest. We actually are not doing this. It is going in the wrong direction. Hunger is growing as a result, and we'll see also a lot more migration. I wish it wouldn't be the case but that is what the numbers tell us 

Extracts

Initiatives such as the African Union’s Common Africa Agro-Parks (CAAPs) aim to attract private investments to establish transboundary mega agro-industrial hubs – but the potential environmental impacts of these investments are yet to be assessed. (page 8)

The proportion of medium- to larger farms is likely to continue to grow and export-oriented production will probably increase – posing increasing environmental threats, but also opportunities for the development, adaptation and scaling out of sustainable practices. (page 8)

Ambitions to achieve national food self-sufficiency have not always considered comparative advantages for food and nature – for example, the extent to which a country’s natural resources are better suited for food grain production, cash crop production or ecotourism.  (page 9)

By 2040, the value of food purchased in East and Southern Africa will grow seven-fold. (page 16)

WWF’s Africa’s Food Future Initiative (AFFI)  (page 13)

AFFI was created on the notion that Africa food production systems are not sustainable, delivering neither on socioeconomic nor environmental objectives. (...) AFFI aims to establish scalable models of productive and sustainable food systems and support resilient livelihoods via three workstreams: (i) integrated land- and water-use planning and management; (ii) agroecology; and (iii) sustainable and inclusive value chains, with a cross cutting theme on policy enhancement at country and continental level. The policy work of the initiative aims to transform Africa policy processes by ensuring increased investments in food system approaches that are ecologically responsive. 

This work builds on the earlier African Ecological Futures (AEF) report, published by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and WWF in 2015, which was designed to guide policy and investment decisions of governments, inter-governmental organizations, development banks, bilateral and multilateral agencies, amongst others. The WWF (2015) report included a review of the main pressures on ecosystems, including pressures from the agri-food system.

The results of this [present] study will provide the basis for engagement with key stakeholders around futures scenarios that will guide Africa on its road towards long-term ecologically sustainable development path.  

Scenario development

Scenario development can be used to explore alternatives to a “business as usual” (BAU) trajectory – either in a participatory way with stakeholders, or as a quantitative research tool to inform modelling. The report presents an example for a generic (continental) scenario process including an example from Zambia.(page 9)