Climate

There is no 1.5C future without moving away from industrial food and farming systems. Today's industrial food systems account for up to one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, those very same systems are gravely threatened by the impacts of the climate crisis, threatening global food security and the livelihoods of farm- and foodworkers around the world. Radically changing the way we produce, distribute, and consumer our food is the only route to a more resilient future.
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that sustainable food systems - founded on principles such as agroecology and food sovereignty - could create the social and environmental resilience we need to withstand climate shocks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over the coming months and years, IPES-Food aims to put the transition to sustainable food systems high on the agenda of international climate negotiations, and at the centre of debate about the climate crisis.
Publications
All publicationsFrom Uniformity to Diversity: A paradigm shift from industrial agriculture to diversified agroecological systems
Making the link between agroecology and biodiversity, climate & desertification
The world faces interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation and desertification, and hunger. We need to tackle them together. Ahead of CBD COP15, we pull together the facts and figures on how agroecology – an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable approach to food and farming with nature – can help tackle multiple crises.
As world leaders gather, will COP27 deliver food system transformation?
COP27, this year's climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh, will finally begin to address the link between food and climate. Join IPES-Food for a series of side events covering numerous aspects of the food-climate nexus, including climate finance for agroecology, urban food policies, the need for multi-level action on food, a just protein transition and more.
See the programme of events at COP27
Read the briefing for journalists
Climate change, adaptation & the potential of agroecology
This infosheet provides data and case study examples of how agroecology can succeed in both mitigating and adapting to climate change - by being more resilient to climate and environmental shocks, producing high yields, improving food security and nutrition, and increasing farmer income. Agroecology will prove paramount to our ability to mitigate and adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
The Glasgow Food Climate Declaration
The Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration brings together local and regional authorities from across the world to speak with a unified voice in committing to putting into practice integrated food policies to tackle the climate emergency.
Visit the website
Agroecology as a vital approach to combat desertification
With 44% of the world’s farms located in drylands, the threat of desertification to global food security and livelihoods is significant. The UNCCD has recognized agroecology as one of the most cost-effective approach to protect and restore farmland. Ahead of UNCCD COP15, IPES-Food shares insights on the link between agroecology and combatting desertification, and success stories from around the world to restore land using agroecological practices.
NEWS | IPCC: world will miss 1.5°C without transforming food system
Reacting to the publication of the IPCC report on report on the mitigation of climate change, IPES-Food experts said, we are barrelling towards catastrophic levels of global heating - and our industrial food system is a major culprit. Yet right now, almost no government has plans in their national climate strategies to transform food systems.
NEWS | IPCC: Transform agriculture or climate change will inflict unprecedented hunger
Reacting to today's publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the impacts of climate change on nature and people, experts from IPES-Food are calling for fundamental reform of our food systems to avoid unprecedented hunger.
Food Systems and climate action at COP26
At UN climate change negotations in Glasgow, 45 governments pledged to take urgent action to move towards more sustainable food systems. However, few of the commitments move beyond a business-as-usual approach.
Media
All mediaThe Field Report: As COP27 approaches, a push for more attention to food and agriculture
Civil Eats
Bringing Food and Agriculture Leadership to COP27
Forbes
A hotter planet means a hungrier planet, climate report warns
Reuters
Climate change puts increasing pressure on food production, finds IPCC
Euractiv
OPINION | Can Africa and the EU join forces to boost sustainable farming?
Reuters
PODCAST | Glasgow Food & Climate Declaration
Farm Gate
These cities and towns have food at the heart of their climate plans. Why don’t nations?
National Observer
OPINION | The UN’s Big Climate Summit Is Ignoring a Giant Red Flag
Mother Jones
INTERVIEW | Good COP, bad COP: Why inaction on food systems should be ‘unthinkable’
Food Talks
INTERVIEW | Pat Mooney: “It’s More A Call To ‘Armies’ Than Arms” on ‘A Long Food Movement’
Arc2020
PODCAST | The Glasgow Food & Farming Declaration
Food Talk
Agroecology as a means to transforming food systems for health, nutrition and equity in a climate changing world
Barilla Centre for Food & Nutrition