Food system transformation is ‘daunting and galvanizing' in equal measure

We collate perspectives from players focused on sustainability in trade, food and animal agriculture on the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), which is to run on Thursday this week, on what it promises:

The UNFSS should form the basis for transformation of the global food production model, providing new perspectives, according to IDH, the sustainable trade initiative.

And it is a timely event, given the recent publication of the IPCC on climate change, said Daan Wensing, CEO at IDH. “If we want to stay below 1.5°C or even below 2°C, there is work to do and transforming our food systems is key to this. Now.”

While more and more companies, sectors and our partners are looking to ‘fix’ the system, it is actually beyond ‘fixing’ at this stage, he argues.

“The time for individual companies, governments and actors to move in isolation is long gone. They might meet their own (voluntary) targets but will never achieve the collective goal. Hence, we need to think in systems, identify what leads to the current situation, choose the role each actor has to play and identify new opportunities from that which will allow us to help them forward.”

The summit, he said, is trying to map a pathway to design the system for the future that nourishes all people, while protecting and restoring the natural environment, secure living income and wages, and boost resilience - all in an equitable way. “Many actors will have to come together in order to bring this to life and to deliver on commitments.”

Regenerative approaches

Lesley Mitchell, associate director, sustainable nutrition, Forum for the Future, said that food and agriculture are at the heart of the world’s deepest environmental and health challenges - from climate change, soil degradation and crashing biodiversity to mal- and over-nutrition.

“These multi-layered crises are underpinned by deeply-entrenched inequalities across global food supply chains. The current unsustainable nature of our food systems has major implications for not just land use and our diets, but our oceans, forests and the livelihoods of millions.

“Given its influence, agriculture has huge positive potential to restore ecosystems and sequester carbon, build thriving economies and healthy communities.”

As the UNFSS approaches, food is front of mind across the sustainability movement, said Mitchell. “The challenge of transforming how we both produce and consume food is daunting and galvanizing in equal measure.”

And one word, she continues, that stands out above all others when reimagining the future of food is ‘regenerative’.

“There’s no denying that ‘regenerative’ has become sustainability’s latest buzzword; you only need to scour the latest headlines to see the traction it’s getting.

“Regenerative approaches aim to deliver the right kinds of healthy foods for everyone. In real terms, this transformation is profound, impacting diversity of crop production, shifting from mono-cropping to multi-cropping, creating greater complexity of market models and routes to market, and requiring us to value and reward carbon and ecosystem services. It takes a longer view, requiring more patient financial capital and a willingness to build new knowledge, skills and share the risks of the transition.”

Nick Jacobs, director, and Chantal Clément, deputy director, of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), say the UNFSS can be an opportunity to underline the case for food system transformation. But there is also a risk that the event – with its focus on a myriad of “solutions” and multi-stakeholder coalitions – could derail progress.

“The summit will only be successful insofar as it produces a clear vision of food system transformation, rooted in the changes that are happening on the ground. And only insofar as governments and UN agencies feel compelled to act.”

What ESG investors want

Also weighing in on the pending summit yesterday was the FAIRR initiative, which looks to drive change in the animal agriculture sector. It outlined what ESG-conscious investors will be looking for:

• Science-based targets – "Investors want to see targets that cover the entire value chain, are aligned with the latest climate science and aimed at a 1.5-degree pathway. Companies in the food system should commit to science-based targets to show investors they’re serious about climate risk."

• Better data from food companies – "We need to encourage, through mandatory and standardized reporting, if necessary, better ESG disclosure from food companies. Investors need gold-standard data on how companies are de-risking their operations and are responding to challenges around climate, biosecurity, working conditions and antibiotics resistance."

• Supportive policy for alternative proteins – "Protein diversification in global diets is essential to reach Net Zero and public policies need to encourage this trend. For example, plant-based meat production causes 30-90% less greenhouse gas emissions, uses 72-99% less water, and results in 51-91% less nutrient pollution in aquatic systems. The UK government’s recent National Food Strategy recommends that the Government increases plant-based food consumption by 2030 which is encouraging, but the market will be catalysed by more national investment in research and development and more incentives for protein diversification at scale."

• Biodiversity and protection of nature – "Current processes to meet the demand for animal protein are responsible for record levels of deforestation and biodiversity loss. The Dasgupta Review outlined that our future prosperity is reliant on both the protection and restoration of our natural ecosystems. One big step forward would be to establish clear pathways to deforestation free supply chains from meat and dairy companies.  The finance-related discussions around the summit have highlighted the important role of finance ministries in repurposing agricultural subsidies to support climate and nature goals. This is also a topic which FAIRR investors have engaged on previously, with calls for the EU to better align its subsidies with climate and biodiversity protection."