The world is not on track to achieve zero hunger by 2030 and many of the indicators for the environmental dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals are not moving the right direction. The global food system is witnessing dramatic challenges that threaten the health of people, our environment and our economies. It is under growing threat from soil degradation, pollinator loss, water scarcity and extreme weather events. With the global population expected to reach between 9 to 10 billion people by 2050, and an additional 50 per cent more food required to feed this growing population, a ‘business as usual’ food system is no longer acceptable. A holistic approach to food system transformation is needed as the system is complex and interconnected and has impacts on many other systems, including our economies and our health systems.
To feed the world, businesses have a crucial role to play in enabling a nature-positive transformation of the food system. They can realize significant opportunities from this transformation by making their supply chains and business models more resilient, protecting themselves from environmental shocks, as well as cutting costs by reducing food loss and waste. Given the crucial role that food plays in our well-being, it is time for all actors from CEOs, entrepreneurs, and government to work together and innovate to change this dire situation and steer the food system towards a new model of environmental sustainability.
