Sustainable food and agricultural systems

The transformation of food and agricultural systems is a critical nexus issue. New systems of food and agricultural production are urgently needed to replace current business-as-usual scenarios, not only to safeguard biodiversity but also food security and nutrition, land health and local livelihoods.

Unsustainable agricultural practices are the leading driver of biodiversity loss globally and a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In turn food and agricultural systems are threatened by climate change and the decline in nature and ecosystems.

3.83 billion people globally depend on food and agriculture for their livelihoods and agriculture is the largest source of income for poor, rural households. With global food production predicted to increase as much as 70% over the next 25 years, the need for transformed food and agricultural systems is central to our future.

Publication 2024

Agriculture and conservation

In 2021, ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ�� launched the ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ�� Flagship Report Series, to help demonstrate the importance of conserving nature for human well-being and all life on Earth. This report, the second in the series,…

Publication 2020

Common ground

Recent major international reports have highlighted the alarming impact of food production systems on climate change, land and biodiversity. This report shows that common ground between the…

Publication 2020

Approaches to sustainable agriculture

The high amount of land used for cultivation and livestock farming has dramatically shaped landscapes in Europe and throughout the rest of the world. Agriculture is a fundamental …

��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ�� engagement in food and agricultural systems

��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ��’s 1948 founding Vision of a just world that values and conserves nature remains our North Star. ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ��’s 20 Year Vision to 2045 outlines 8 Global Transformations for Nature and People, including Food systems and Sustainable Agriculture where ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ��’s Secretariat will work with Members and Commissions to catalyse a transition to sustainable, equitable and resilient food and agricultural systems that value and conserve nature, while safeguarding human wellbeing and societal benefits.

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This will be achieved by:
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Fostering good governance and dialogue between food and agricultural system actors;��
Advocating for strong policies, investment and monitoring linking climate change and biodiversity conservation;��
Providing the science and knowledge necessary to guide decision making of food and agricultural systems actors ��
Promoting sustainable agriculture approaches and nature based solutions, such as regenerative agriculture, agroecology and indigenous practices.

42 million sq km

of the planet is covered by agriculture

735 million people

face chronic hunger

35% of species

‒ threatened and terrestrial ‒ are at risk from agricultural land clearance

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The ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ�� Secretariat focuses on driving 3 types of changes to achieve food and agricultural systems transformation:

Change on the ground

Change on the ground, where we pursue achieving significant progress in establishing sustainable and nature-positive multifunctional agricultural landscapes.��

Change in the enabling environment

Change in the enabling environment, which covers convening and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and platforms, and advocating for and facilitating the development and implementation of supportive governance systems, policies and action plans.

Change in knowledge & capacity

Change in knowledge and capacity, which includes developing and disseminating effective knowledge products, evidence, guidance, metrics and tools, and strengthening the capacity to use them.��

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Transforming food and agricultural systems is key to safeguarding human wellbeing and societal benefits while valuing and conserving nature. Our team at the ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ�� Secretariat is proud to be supporting this transformation, and we are working hard to support the Union to achieve significant progress in establishing sustainable and nature-positive multifunctional agricultural landscapes.��

Pascale Bonzom Global Head, Food and Agricultural Systems

Event

Nature based Solutions for decent rural youth employment in agri-food systems

Welcome to the ��ϲʿ��ֳ�ֱ��/FAO side event to discuss ‘Nature-based Solutions for decent rural youth employment in agri-food systems’ during the 51st plenary session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 51),…

View event

Publication 2024

Agriculture and conservation

Sustainable food and agricultural systems