Advancing food system diversification in the face of climate challenges

At COP 28, more than 130 countries endorsed the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, marking a significant elevation of the importance of food systems for a climate-resilient future. 

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and TMG Research gGmbH are working on resilient food systems solutions such as food systems diversification, an important adaptation strategy for achieving the Declaration's objectives.

Food system diversification and climate change

Food system diversification can increase global resilience of food production and food supplies in the face of climate challenges. Diverse production practices  support ecosystem services, food security, and lower emissions. However, social, economic, governance, and knowledge-sharing barriers often hinder progress. EDF and TMG explore these  challenges and potential solutions to enable successful food system transformation in a new report.

Download the two-page explainer PDF

Addressing the barriers to food system diversification: the path forward 

Acknowledging barriers to success, this paper raises awareness and emphasizes creating alliances to transition to more climate-resilient food systems. It is a product of a consultative process initiated at the World Food Prize conference in October 2023. This two-page explainer will build to a full report in early 2024, incorporating frontline voices, case studies, analysis, and progress from COP28 and other relevant gatherings.

This shift challenges conventional production practices and aligns with COP28's emphasis on integrating food system transition plans into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This summary and the associated events underscore the urgent need for resilient and diverse food systems, emphasizing the challenges and potential pathways to building resilience.

Watch the event at COP28 on December 10, 2023: Forgotten Foods and Future Harvests—Enabling Food Producers to Thrive in a Climate-Impacted World

The potential pathways involve the development of decision-support tools for economic, nutritional and environmental considerations, fostering collaborations across sectors to dismantle barriers and share knowledge, and advocating for policies that support financial incentives, infrastructure and research to promote diversified, resilient food systems. 

Emphasis is placed on agricultural and aquatic food policies and practices, decision-support tools for both policymakers and practitioners, and revitalizing peer-to-peer exchanges in food-producing communities to foster critical knowledge exchange and lasting systemic changes.