It is well-documented that how we produce and consume food plays a major role in global warming and nature loss -and that it could get worse as we strive to feed a bigger and richer population. But food systems can also be part of the solution, not just for food security, but also for a nature-positive, carbon-neutral future.
The calendar is about to turn the page over to a new year and that new year brings hope for a world currently gripped by a pandemic that has wreaked havoc for months. COVID-19 has made 2020 the year we wish we could forget but never will. With the roll-out of
vaccines, the end of the pandemic and its related global disruptions seem to be in sight. But not everyone will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
The global food system is a major driver of environmental degradation, ill health, premature mortality and inequity. To enable resilient, affordable, safe and nutritious diets for the current and growing global population while restoring and safeguarding our environment, we need to urgently innovate food system solutions that work for both people and planet.
A survey of food system SMEs in 14 countries, aiming to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated control measures on their businesses and their support needs, was undertaken by GAIN and partners, including the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network (co-convened by the World Food Programme (WFP)). This survey took place in October/November 2020, following one in May 2020.
As we draw to the end of 2020, COVID-19 rages on; hunger numbers are on the increase; and we are not on track to meet the 1.5C Paris target to limit global warming. According to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard, 72 million people have been infected with the novel coronavirus and 1.7 million have died. And counting. According to the IMF, the measures taken to combat the virus have led to GDP declines of around 4-10%, depending on the country.
The Governments of Canada and Bangladesh, in partnership with the Government of Japan, today hosted a virtual launch of the Nutrition for Growth Year of Action, setting in motion a year-long effort to address a global hunger and nutrition crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This report looks at existing conceptual frameworks for food systems with a new lens that links food safety and nutrition and explores how such a perspective can be used to improve policy and programming.
COVID-19 is disrupting humanitarian aid and development cooperation projects globally. Furthermore, the pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on food supply chains, undermining access to food for many.
Ensuring markets provide enough nutritious and safe food to those living in poverty in low income countries is an urgent priority. Many in such markets across the world lack access to affordable foods that are safe and rich in the nutrients needed to sustain life and livelihoods.
Initiated by a purpose-driven business collective, the SDG Tent has been an impartial and open space where ideas, thought leadership and unhindered dialogue flourishes at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. The goal of the SDG Tent is to progress the global debate around the role of business and its capacity to deliver sustainable and inclusive development.
