New analysis by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has found that some 94% of see agrifood systems as a priority for climate adaptation, while 91% see agrifood as essential for mitigation in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
According to the FAO, which released its findings at COP29, ‘this highlights the tremendous potential of agrifood systems as climate solutions, especially as countries prepare to submit their third round of NDCs in 2025.’
At the same time, however, notable gaps remain in addressing risks, reducing emissions, and securing sufficient funding.
Food insecurity
Food insecurity and biodiversity loss are identified as the most frequently reported climate-related risks, appearing in 88% of NDCs.
These risks are particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where climate change impact has worsened hunger and poverty. Some two thirds of countries report climate-related impacts and risks for crop-based systems in their NDCs, with one half reporting likewise for livestock, forest, and ocean and coastal-based fisheries and aquaculture systems.
The report also notes that emissions from the agrifood sector are being inadequately addressed, with current NDCs address only around 40% of these emissions.
Emissions from livestock production and pre- and post-production processes are especially overlooked, with 66% unaddressed and 82% unaddressed, respectively, according to the FAO’s report.
Elsewhere, adaptation planning efforts are also falling short, the UN group noted. ‘While agrifood adaptation measures in NDCs are relatively comprehensive, their effectiveness is uncertain due to lack of clarity regarding feasibility, and robustness,’ it said. ‘Without more coordinated and effective planning and investment, adaptation efforts will struggle to keep pace with escalating climate risks.’
Cost of transformation
According to the FAO, the transformation of agrifood systems will require an estimated $1.15 trillion annually until 2030, yet current investments average only $28.5 billion per year.
‘While countries recognise the need to scale up funding for agrifood systems, current estimates in NDCs still cover only one-sixth of the required finance, meaning a critical opportunity to mobilise resources for developing countries and implement actionable investment plans could be missed,’ the FAO said.
‘The good news is that with a deadline of early 2025 to submit updated NDCs, countries still have a small window to increase their ambitions in this regard.’ Read more here.
