UNDP Food & Agricultural Commodity Systems

🌍 UNDP is about to launch a groundbreaking White Paper on food systems resilience. While a growing number of people faces food insecurity, in crisis contexts, where conflict disrupts food systems, the stakes are even higher—food insecurity can fuel tensions and spiral into instability and violence. The upcoming White Paper highlights the urgent need to build resilience within our food systems to withstand these shocks. What will it take to bring these game-changing recommendations to life? Governments hold the keys, driving change across critical dimensions of the food system. With backing from UNDP’s "whole-of-government" approach and the right strategies, institutions, and partnerships that address the complexities and imbalances within food systems, this publication is the catalyst for the resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems our world desperately needs. Discover more about UNDP’s White Paper in the second blog of this series: https://lnkd.in/es-4k4vp

🔸 Energy is essential for food security and development. "The Godfathers of climate chaos —the fossil fuel industry— rake in record profits and feast off trillions in taxpayer-funded subsidies." These impactful words from António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, stress the immediate climate threat our planet encounters, on last #WorldEnvironmentDay event, "Special address on climate action: A moment of truth." "The cost of all this chaos is hitting people where it hurts. From supply-chains severed, to rising prices, mounting food insecurity, and uninsurable homes and businesses," he continued. Current food systems use about 30% of globally available energy, and this energy accounts for about 30% of agri-food systems greenhouse gas emissions because modern food systems are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Learn more about UNDP's vision for Food & Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS) — a response to the current global challenges here: http://ow.ly/4OVZ50KN9Me

How is climate change affecting #biodiversity? Biodiversity forms the web of life that we depend on for so many things – food, water, medicine, a stable climate, economic growth, among others. But nature is in crisis. The main driver of biodiversity loss remains humans’ use of land – primarily for food production. Human activity has already altered over 70% of all ice-free land. When land is converted for agriculture, some animal and plant species may lose their habitat and face extinction. There is an urgent need to change the way we produce food to limit this threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. By promoting greater biodiversity and diverse ecosystems through sustainable agriculture, food systems will be more resilient and able to withstand climate change and shocks, pests and diseases and other disruptive events, and farmers will be able to support environmental conservation efforts, enhance farm resilience, and contribute to global efforts to protect and preserve biodiversity. Take a look at how UNDP stepped up its efforts launching the Nature Pledge, supporting over 140 countries to reach their Global Biodiversity Framework targets: https://lnkd.in/dXyDnvbB https://lnkd.in/dwJeCTka

"Without nature, we have nothing. Without nature, we are nothing."   These powerful words from United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres highlight the importance of nature and how transformational change begins with us.    Nature is the foundation of human wellbeing and prosperity. It has the power to drive poverty eradication and prevention and sustainable development.    UNDP’s Nature Pledge is our commitment to provide accelerated and upscaled support to over 140 countries to reach their ambitious targets in the historic Global Biodiversity Framework.    We must continue building a world where we protect nature because nature is at the heart of sustainable development and humanity’s planetary safety net.    Nature is our strongest ally, let’s shift our thinking! Learn more about the Nature Pledge: https://lnkd.in/gwAeDe7x.    #NaturePledge 

🌿🐾 Protecting nature: The importance of biodiversity    #Biodiversity has a big role in tackling the climate crisis, acting as a pillar that supports food systems resilience.    "We are already seeing effects on biodiversity as a consequence of the climate crisis, but we also can make sure to take care of our ecosystems in a more resilient way to actually reach climate targets. It goes both ways, it’s interconnected (…) Nature is intricately linked to climate," Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister of Climate and the Environment for Sweden —Regeringskansliet.   By promoting greater biodiversity through sustainable agriculture, food systems will be more resilient and able to withstand climate change and shocks, pests and diseases and other disruptive events, and farmers will be able to support environmental conservation efforts, enhance farm resilience, and contribute to global efforts to protect and preserve biodiversity.    Take a look at the UNDP’s Hello Future:video below where Sweden’s Minister explains the importance of doing things differently: https://lnkd.in/gSNZDETV    #NaturePledge   

Nearly 1 in 10 people globally face hunger.    2.4 billion people experienced moderate to severe food insecurity and 148 million children under age 5 suffered from stunting in 2022.     Almost 60% of countries worldwide faced moderately to abnormally high food prices due to spillover effects of conflicts, such as disrupted supply chains.    Urgent action is needed. We must #ActNow to create a better, healthier and more resilient future for the people and planet.     At the 2024 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) which took place in New York last month, Dr. Iain Wright commented: "It’s important to recognize the interdependence of #SDG2 to others, especially SDG1, poverty (…) We know what needs to be done, but we need the resources to be able to do it."    We must transition to a new paradigm of agricultural production based on diversified, resilient and sustainable agroecological systems to end hunger, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture. Learn more about UNDP FACS Initiatives: https://lnkd.in/dQCtWq4u  

📢 Remote #Internship opportunity! We're looking for candidates to join our UNDP Food & Agricultural Commodity Systems team as a Community Intern with excellent IT skills and experience in collaboration platforms, data collection and graphic design. If you’re enrolled in a University Degree programme (BA or MA), or have recently graduated, in the areas of environmental management, agriculture, sustainable development, economics, global development, social or political sciences, this may be your chance! 📆 Apply before September 4. ➡️ Read the requirements and #JoinALifeChangingMission with UNDP: https://lnkd.in/ehnRgExn #UNDPcareers

Is Food Security possible without resilience? UNDP urges a holistic food systems approach    Food systems are in crisis, especially in conflict zones, where millions face hunger daily. In 2023, 281.6 million people endured acute food insecurity—the highest in 8 years.    UNDP has convened a task team of experts to prepare a White Paper on Resilient Food Systems for imminent release.    Lead author and UNDP Senior Advisor Jose Luis Chicoma said: “…with increasing numbers of people going to bed hungry, the triple planetary crises, and persistent social and income inequality for smallholder farmers, the challenges for this transformation are immense.”    There has never been a more critical time to build collaborative solutions for future food systems that are sustainable, inclusive and equitable, healthy, and resilient, serving both people and planet.     Discover more about UNDP’s upcoming publication on our latest blog here: https://lnkd.in/es-4k4vp 

Food production depends on nature.    Nature is constantly being degraded through biodiversity loss, soil crisis, water scarcity or loss of ecosystems, yields and nutrition decrease. Yet too often, markets and policies do not account for nature’s services, and corporations are not accountable for their destructive practices    UNDP’s work includes making better decisions on land management based on improved data and climate information to ensure transparency and consistency; greening value chains from farms to urban areas; and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices.    "One of the most powerful solutions to mitigating the impacts of climate chaos is all around us – nature. Nature is our greatest ally when it comes to buffering humanity from the impacts of climate change, to bolstering our food and water security, and to safeguarding our health, safety and well-being," states Francine Pickup, UNDP Deputy Director, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.    Learn more about how nature is essential to our lives in this blog: https://lnkd.in/dziwh5Sp    #NaturePledge 

Clean water is a right, not a privilege. Yet, billions of people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation —and the climate emergency is making things worse. During this World Water Week, see how the #GlobalGoals aim to address the water crisis and ensure access for all: https://lnkd.in/eP_5DHqq