HLPF Thematic Session SDG 13 and interlinkages with other SDGs – Climate action

FAO underscores the urgency and the profound challenges posed by climate change to our agrifood systems. These systems, the backbone of global food security, are severely threatened by climate change impacts, jeopardizing millions of livelihoods. By 2030, climate change could push over 100 million people into extreme poverty and elevate the number at risk of hunger to 183 million by 2050.

The annual losses from disasters in crop and livestock production average USD 123 billion, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable, including women, youth, and marginalized communities, particularly in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.

Agrifood systems contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating urgent and comprehensive solutions. Despite this, climate finance allocated to agrifood systems remains critically low, receiving only 4.3 percent of total global climate finance. This declining trend is alarming and represents a missed opportunity to harness agrifood systems' immense potential for building resilience, adaptation, and emission reduction.

FAO advocates for transformative agrifood systems that integrate a wide range of climate solutions. These include sustainable forest management, agroforestry, efficient livestock systems, improved cropland management, ecosystem restoration, afforestation, reforestation, and enhanced water use efficiency. Additionally, shifting to healthy diets and reducing food loss and waste are essential strategies.

We call for increased investment in science, technology, innovation, and data to inform policies and actions. Scaling up innovative financing mechanisms, such as risk management and results-based financing, is crucial for attracting private investment to accelerate climate action in agrifood systems.

Countries must adopt holistic and integrated national policies and strategies to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, environment, and food security. Aligning NDCs and NAPs with other national commitments is vital.

Empowering small-scale producers, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable groups is essential for a just transition. They should be supported through social protection policies, financial incentives, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance their adaptation capabilities.