Today, the growing global population and the shortage of food for this increasing population, coupled with the vast and expanding volume of agricultural and food waste, have become significant concerns worldwide. The production of plant-based and animal-based foods plays a major role in global warming and climate change. As a result, the focus on sustainable food production with minimal environmental harm, optimal resource utilization, and the management of by-products and waste has significantly increased in recent years.
What is a Sustainable Food System?
A sustainable food system is one that provides food security and nutrition for all people. It encompasses all stages from food processing, packaging, transportation, to consumption. Currently, these systems are neither efficient nor sustainable. In 2022, around 2.9% of the global population, approximately 735 million people, faced chronic hunger, an increase of 122 million compared to 2019. Moreover, these unsustainable practices are one of the primary contributors to the climate crisis, accounting for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of global freshwater consumption.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are three key indicators of a sustainable food system:
- Economic Sustainability: The system is profitable for all stakeholders at every stage of the value chain.
- Social Sustainability: The food produced provides benefits such as food security and access to healthy, nutritious diets for communities.
- Environmental Sustainability: The production and consumption of food have a positive or neutral impact on the planet and its natural resources.
Global Food System Under Pressure
The world is currently facing a food emergency. Conflicts, economic shocks, climate change, and rising prices have triggered an unprecedented food crisis. Food inflation is affecting people worldwide. In addition to providing nutrition, food systems are also a source of employment across the globe, including agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal, “Zero Hunger,” aims to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. According to UN estimates, 780 million people worldwide, or about one in ten, have experienced hunger, with projections suggesting that 660 million may still face hunger by 2030. As per the 2023 Sustainable Development Progress Report, regions like Western Asia, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa are facing increased hunger. However, some areas in Asia and Latin America have seen improvements in food security.
The Triple Threat: Overconsumption, Unsustainable Practices, and Malnutrition
Overconsumption is a key issue in food scarcity, with wealthy nations being the largest contributors to this problem. According to UNICEF, if people around the world consumed food at the levels of those in the United States, Canada, or Luxembourg, more than five planets would be needed to meet their needs. Food scarcity also impacts health. Malnutrition disproportionately affects children in low- and middle-income countries. A lack of proper nutrition can lead to stunting (short stature for age), micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity, all of which pose risks to children’s growth and development.
Water, Food, Energy, and Sustainable Development
Water, food, and energy are interlinked at the heart of sustainable development. With a growing population, the demand for these resources is on the rise. Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater globally, and more than a quarter of the world’s energy consumption is used in food production and supply.
How to Address the Global Food Crisis?
As stated in the report, addressing deep-rooted inequalities, transforming food systems, investing in sustainable farming practices, and reducing the impact of conflicts and pandemics on global nutrition and food security require coordinated and immediate action.
Around the world, actions are either underway or planned to increase the sustainability of food systems. These actions include investments to restore degraded lands, revitalize ecosystems, move toward cellular agriculture, and develop fermented food products, cultured meat, and alternative proteins. These initiatives are expected to have major positive impacts on rural economies, climate change mitigation, hunger prevention, and future human crises, leading to the establishment of sustainable food systems.
According to the UN Secretary-General’s report at the 2023 summit, transforming food systems plays a crucial role in returning sustainable development goals from the brink, and these goals must be integrated into global and national discussions, commitments, and policies. In 2023, more than 100 countries voluntarily reported progress on food system transformation and committed to making significant strides to reflect these priorities in their laws, policies, and programs at national and international levels.
