EGM on SDG 2: Jean-François Soussana Statement

Jean-François Soussana
Vice-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAC) of the UN Food System Coordination Hub / National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, France

Session 9: Planet

How can we transform food systems and land use to reach targets related to multiple SDGs? To answer this question, a system’s approach is needed. IPCC reports have shown that a number of land-based and food demand response options to climate change have co-benefits for food security, for combatting land degradation and desertification, for water resources and for biodiversity preservation. Nevertheless, other response options involving land use change like large-scale bioenergy production have side-effects for both food security and biodiversity. 

Combinations of these responses are required to meet the targets set by SDGs 2, 6, 13, 14 and 15, while bringing co-benefits for health and nutrition (SDG 3) and for clean energies (SDG 7). Deploying these responses at scale is urgent given the acceleration of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, water scarcity and the epidemics of malnutrition. There is no one size-fits all, since combinations of responses are highly context dependent, requiring place-based efforts, as well as multidimensional equity, for their deployment.

Mathematical modelling approaches show that bundling agricultural efficiency, nature-based solutions and food demand responses is indispensable to reach SDG 2, 6, 13, 14 and 15, while bringing co-benefits for health and nutrition (SDG 3) and for clean energies (SDG 7). This implies coordinating food system transformation and nature-based solutions across scales from local, to national and to global scale. 

A holistic policy approach, guided by evidence and co-designed with stakeholders, would greatly reduce the costs of this much needed transformation compared to policies developed in silos. Coordination across ministries in charge of agriculture, environment, climate, health and finance to support long-term ecological planning requires changes in governance. Some countries are already coordinating long-term ecological planning at the level of the Prime Minister office. 

In this process, we should not underestimate disaster risks and the role of protracted crises and of conflicts (addressed in Session 7). Since the onset, disaster risk reduction needs to be embedded in both national pathways and international targets. The 4 priorities of the Sendai protocol provide a useful framework to keep a resilience compass while shifting towards sustainable and healthy food systems.