Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I‑CAN)
I‑CAN aims to catalyse climate action for nutrition benefits, and nutrition action for climate benefits
I-CAN Playbook: Integrating Nutrition into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
I-CAN presents a new playbook offering step-by-step guidance to embedding nutrition-sensitive ambition and action into nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Drawing on I-CAN experience support climate-nutrition integration in different countries, it highlights practical entry points, resources, and provides policy examples to create nutrition–climate win-wins across food systems, health, agriculture, and social protection. By aligning nutrition with climate goals, countries can strengthen food and health systems, advance progress on the SDGs, and pursue the Paris Agreement 1.5 °C target.
I-CAN Report on Biodiversity and Nutrition Synergies
The Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) presents a new report that analyses the intersection of biodiversity and nutrition, "Biodiversity and Nutrition Synergies: Evaluating National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans for Integration." The report offers a comprehensive analysis of 192 National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), revealing the current state of nutrition integration in biodiversity policies worldwide.
The study highlights a significant gap: 62% of NBSAPs show no intentional connections between biodiversity and nutrition. It uncovers regional variations, with Latin America and the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and East Asia and the Pacific demonstrating higher integration levels, though overall progress remains limited. It looks at how biodiversity and human health are connected. This study is a valuable tool for people working on both environmental and nutrition issues. It offers useful ideas to help make policies and practices better.
About the programme:
In 2022, GAIN began to implement a new generation of large projects targeting the entire value chain for selected nutrient-dense foods.
I-CAN was launched in 2022 during COP27 by the Presidency of Egypt, and is co-chaired by Egypt and GAIN, with core partners including WHO, FAO and the SUN movement. I-CAN gained significant attention in 2023, being featured at various high-level international events and mentioned by the Director-Generals of both WHO and FAO during COP28 in Dubai. In 2024, I-CAN will focus on providing national-level support to country governments.
Five Pillars of Action to Unlock the Potential of I-CAN in 2024:
- Strengthening National Policies and Plans: I-CAN will focus on delivering targeted and tailored support at the country level, complementing national policies, plans and strategies. Examples of this include working with governments to integrate more nutrition considerations into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or integrating more climate considerations into national nutrition plans.
- Building a Strong Alliance: I-CAN aims to advance joint actions across countries and regions, connecting countries who are leaders in this space. We will support in building and executing multi-year engagement strategies with the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) process.
- Improving Data on Integrated Action: As shown from the I-CAN 2023 baseline report, data and evidence on integrated climate and nutrition action is currently lacking. I-CAN will help drive research and monitoring efforts in this area, tracking progress to 2030 and beyond.
- Mobilising Finance and the Private Sector: Financing is lagging behind policy, with private sector integration being one of the lowest performing areas in the space. I-CAN will work to unlock joint financing for climate and nutrition from Development Finance Institutions and private sector actors.
- Becoming the ‘Go-To’ Place for Amplifying Efforts: I-CAN's ambition is to become the top platform for promoting, connecting, and advancing all efforts to improve climate and nutrition action.
Resources
Please click here to read the key findings and full pdf of the I-CAN 2023 baseline report, which highlights the current state of integration between climate change and nutrition across a range of indicators, including in action, data and evidence, policies, and investments.
The Executive Summary of the I-CAN baseline report is available also in French, Spanish and Arabic.
Other Resources
- FAO’s I-CAN technical report: “Climate Action and Nutrition: Pathways to Impact”, text: “This report led by I-CAN partner, FAO, outlines the evidence and opportunities to integrate climate and nutrition action across four core systems: agri-food, water, health, and social protection.”
- I-CAN is formally hosted as a Climate and Nutrition Working Group under the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), which was launched in COP26 and is hosted by the Government of UK. The ATACH community has over 80 member states and 5 working groups, with resources available online. Click here to view I-CAN on the ATACH member page.
I-CAN Published Reports and Policy Briefs-Nigeria
Policy Brief
Nigeria’s climate and nutrition challenges are deeply interconnected, yet responses remain largely fragmented. Climate shocks are already undermining agricultural productivity and worsening food insecurity, placing millions more Nigerians at risk each year. This brief highlights how siloed climate and nutrition policies limit effective action and makes the case for integrated approaches that deliver “win-win” outcomes. By aligning climate and nutrition priorities across policies, investments, and programmes, Nigeria can strengthen food security, protect vulnerable populations, and build more resilient food systems.
Report
Nigeria is facing a growing crisis at the intersection of climate change and nutrition. Rising food insecurity, escalating climate risks, and persistent malnutrition are placing millions at risk. This policy brief draws on evidence generated under the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) to highlight how climate shocks are undermining food systems and nutrition outcomes in Nigeria. It presents actionable insights to support the integration of climate and nutrition considerations into national and subnational policies, programmes, and investments, with a focus on building resilient food systems and improving nutrition outcomes.
I-CAN Published Reports and Policy Briefs-Pakistan
Policy Brief
Pakistan is facing a converging crisis of climate change and malnutrition, with floods, droughts, and heat stress undermining food security and nutrition outcomes—particularly for women and children. While national and provincial policies increasingly acknowledge the climate–nutrition link, most lack concrete targets, financing, and coordination mechanisms. Drawing on the I-CAN framework, this policy brief assesses current levels of integration and outlines actionable pathways to move from fragmented policies to coordinated implementation that delivers climate-resilient, nutrition-secure outcomes.
Report
Pakistan faces intersecting climate and malnutrition crises, yet responses remain largely siloed. The I-CAN Baseline Assessment examines how climate and nutrition are integrated across national and provincial policies, programs, and data systems, revealing that while linkages are widely acknowledged, they are rarely translated into targets, financing, or coordinated action. With only one national policy achieving full integration, the report highlights critical gaps and practical entry points to strengthen nutrition-sensitive climate action and protect Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.
I-CAN Published Reports and Policy Briefs-Kenya
Policy Brief
Climate change and malnutrition are deeply intertwined challenges in Kenya, where climate related
shocks continue to threaten food systems, health services, and vulnerable populations. This policy brief summarizes f indings f rom a rapid assessment of 27 national policies and key stakeholder interviews, conducted to support the I-CAN initiative. The analysis reveals uneven climate–nutrition integration across sectors, with strong implementation f rameworks in some policies but persistent gaps in coordination, data systems, and f inancing. Overreliance on donor funding, limited engagement of diverse stakeholders, and underutilized governance structures further hinder progress. At the same time, there are clear opportunities to strengthen policy
alignment, institutional reform, cross-sector collaboration, and stakeholder inclusion to build a more resilient and nutrition-secure Kenya.
Report
This report summarizes key findings from the Kenya policy landscaping and stakeholder mapping analyses and provides recommendations to strengthen policy integration in support of the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN).
The analysis reviewed 27 active, inactive, and draft policies across nutrition and health, climate and environment, food systems and agriculture, and general development, classifying each according to the 2023 I-CAN Baseline Report integration framework. Findings were complemented by key informant interviews with 16 stakeholders from government and academia, which also informed the stakeholder mapping by identifying institutional mandates, informal influence, coalition behavior, and cross-sector leverage points.
I-CAN Published Reports and Policy Briefs-Cambodia
Policy Brief
Pakistan is facing a converging crisis of climate change and malnutrition, with floods, droughts, and heat stress undermining food security and nutrition outcomes—particularly for women and children. While national and provincial policies increasingly acknowledge the climate–nutrition link, most lack concrete targets, financing, and coordination mechanisms. Drawing on the I-CAN framework, this policy brief assesses current levels of integration and outlines actionable pathways to move from fragmented policies to coordinated implementation that delivers climate-resilient, nutrition-secure outcomes.
Report
This report summarizes key findings from the policy landscaping and stakeholder mapping analyses in Cambodia and provides recommendations to strengthen policy integration under the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN).
The analysis reviewed 32 active, inactive, and draft policies across nutrition and health, climate and environment, food systems and agriculture, and general development, classifying each by its level of climate–nutrition integration using the 2023 I-CAN Baseline Report framework. Findings were complemented by key informant interviews with 15 stakeholders from government and academia, which also informed stakeholder mapping by identifying institutional roles, informal influence, coalition dynamics, and cross-sector leverage points.
Contacts
Jessica Colston
Lead, Environment and Nutrition
Sarah LaHaye
Lead, Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN)
Catherine Lok
Executive Director’s Office Analyst
Donors
