Enacting theories of change for food systems transformation under climate change

This paper seek to advance the literature on transforming food systems under a changing climate, by identifying concrete next steps for scientists and practitioners. In the past few years, we have seen growing calls for a transformation in global food systems in response to multiple challenges, including climate change. Food systems are responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity and agricultural yields are at risk due to climate change impact. Although many proposals have been made, there are fewer insights on what these imply for knowledge and innovation systems.

The findings point at nine priority areas for a transformation in food systems under climate change:

1. Empowering farmer and consumer organizations, women and youth;
2. Digitally enabled climate-informed services;
3. Climate-resilient and low-emission practices and technologies;
4. Innovative finance to leverage public and private sector investments;
5. Reshaping supply chains, food retail, marketing and procurement;
6. Fostering enabling policies and institutions;
7. Knowledge transfer;
8. Addressing fragmentation in the knowledge and innovation systems;
9. Ensuring food security.