Transforming Food Systems: A Shared Call to Action for People, Nature, and Climate
The recently released report, Food Systems Call to Action: Real-World Action and Progress in Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate serves as a powerful rallying cry for global food system transformation. Released ahead of COP 30, this comprehensive roadmap underscores the urgent need to address food insecurity, malnutrition, biodiversity loss, and climate change through collaborative, innovative approaches.
Over 300 organizations endorsed the report, including Food Systems for the Future (FSF). The Call to Action identifies ten priority areas and four guiding principles to catalyze impactful change. These principles emphasize centering frontline actors like farmers, promoting justice and equity, respecting Indigenous rights, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Key Insights from the Report
The report highlights the dual role of food systems as contributors to and casualties of the global climate crisis. With food systems accounting for nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions, aligning agricultural practices with the 1.5°C climate target is paramount. Yet, food systems also hold the potential to become transformative solutions, capable of delivering equitable prosperity while safeguarding nature and the climate.
Among the ten priority actions are scaling sustainable agriculture, halving food loss and waste, and enhancing access to healthy, affordable diets. The report also celebrates global success stories, including regenerative farming initiatives in Egypt and fortified whole grain programs in Rwanda, which demonstrate the possibilities of meaningful, localized action.
However, significant challenges remain, particularly in mobilizing adequate financing for adaptation, creating inclusive policies with measurable targets, and ensuring the active participation of marginalized communities.
FSF’s Commitment to the Vision
Food Systems for the Future (FSF) proudly endorsed the Food Systems Call to Action, aligning its mission with the report's transformative agenda. FSF's work reflects a commitment to building resilient, equitable food systems that provide nutritious food to underserved communities while protecting the environment.
Through initiatives like the Access for All program, FSF collaborates with local grocers and stakeholders across the U.S. to create community-centered grocery models that bring affordable, healthy food to food-insecure neighborhoods. This program addresses systemic barriers to food access while promoting local economic development.
FSF also believes that transforming food systems requires diverse stakeholders working together. Through partnerships with organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund, FSF has convened listening sessions and trust-building efforts across protein value chains. These initiatives fostered collaborations at forums like Climate Week, the World Food Prize, and COP29, driving collective action toward a lower-methane food system.
In Rwanda, FSF’s Black Soldier Fly Larvae project exemplifies sustainable innovation. This circular food system initiative converts organic waste into livestock feed and bio-fertilizers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, and fostering regenerative farming practices.
Additionally, FSF is pioneering scalable Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) systems. These frameworks simplify operational demands, enhance transparency, and unlock crucial financing for farmers, ensuring sustainable agriculture reaches all production levels.
The Path Forward
The Food Systems Call to Action demonstrates that food systems transformation is not only necessary but imperative and achievable. FSF is committed to translating this vision into measurable, inclusive progress, empowering communities, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring lasting access to nutritious food.
As we move toward COP 30 and beyond, FSF invites policymakers, stakeholders, and changemakers to join us in reshaping food systems to secure a sustainable, equitable future for people and the planet. Together, we can make this transformation a reality.