Food security in changing climates: social protection must respond to unfolding crises

This paper discusses how social protection can become more ‘anticipatory’ and make food security more resilient to climate risks. It draws on analysis carried out using the Anticipatory Social Protection Index for Resilience (ASPIRE) toolkit in eight countries: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Pakistan, Senegal and Uganda. Climate change is severely impacting the four pillars of food security: availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability. Ensuring food security amid escalating climate impacts therefore requires immediate and concerted efforts. 

Within each country, social protection policies, systems and three social protection programmes were evaluated. ASPIRE food security indices were developed representing the four pillars of food security. Based on this analysis, the paper then discusses how governments, funders, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society and local communities can jointly strive to build resilient food systems for all.

This is critical, as while the solutions for food security are known, least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) need comprehensive support from the global community to implement such changes. The Brazil G20 presidency, which has chosen to prioritise food security, presents an important opportunity to drive this global effort and mobilise resources and cooperation.