A new report highlights critical trends and challenges in global food systems as the world approaches 2030, emphasizing governance and resilience as pivotal areas for transformation. The study, published in Nature Food, presents the first comprehensive analysis of changes in key food system indicators since 2000, tracking progress across 50 metrics organized into five themes: diets, nutrition, and health; environment, natural resources, and production; livelihoods, poverty, and equity; resilience; and governance.
The findings reveal a mix of progress and setbacks, underscoring the urgency of accelerating food systems transformation to meet global goals. Tradeoffs between food system objectives such as jobs, climate, nutrition, food security, and resilience are inevitable. However, stronger governance and improved data can help mitigate these tradeoffs and even transform them into synergies. By understanding these dynamics, the report provides a foundation for targeted actions to advance sustainable development.
Encouraging progress has been observed in resilience and nutrition. Of the 42 metrics analyzed over time, 20 have shown improvement. Notable achievements include increased access to safe water and greater availability of vegetables, as well as enhanced conservation of plant and animal genetic resources. These advancements bolster the resilience of food systems, helping them withstand climate shocks and other disruptions.
However, emerging concerns highlight significant challenges. Seven indicators have shown a decline, including increased food price volatility, reduced government accountability, and diminished civil society participation. These trends reflect growing difficulties in maintaining stability and coherence in food system policies, particularly amid global crises.
The report underscores the complex interactions between different components of food systems. Changes in one area, such as governance or diet quality, often have cascading effects on others. Case studies from Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Netherlands illustrate how these dynamics play out locally, emphasizing the need for coordinated, cross-sectoral approaches to maximize synergies and manage trade-offs effectively.
Governance and resilience are identified as key leverage points for food system transformation. Strengthening these areas can catalyze positive changes across other indicators, amplifying global progress. The interconnected nature of food systems means that targeted improvements in governance and resilience can have far-reaching impacts, making them critical focal areas for action.
The report also highlights the need for wholesale reform of food systems to address pressing global challenges. These include increasing diet-related diseases, persistent undernutrition, and the impacts of a changing climate. Tackling these issues requires significant and rapid change, supported by comprehensive data and evidence-based policymaking. By tracking progress and identifying gaps, the report provides a clear roadmap for prioritizing interventions and accelerating sustainable development.
As the world enters the final five years of the Sustainable Development Goals process, there is a pressing need to double down on areas of progress while addressing persistent gaps. Efforts must focus on improving the pool of indicators available to describe and analyze food systems comprehensively. By keeping the interconnectedness of these systems at the forefront, stakeholders can drive meaningful and lasting transformation, ensuring that global food systems are equitable, resilient, and sustainable.
