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During COP28, Brazil has announced it will join the world’s biggest oil cartel, casting doubt over the country’s future contribution to the advance of a more sustainable food–climate agenda.
Resource constraints and environmental impacts associated with current phosphorus fertilizer manufacture and use highlight considerable risks within global food production systems. Research portfolios targeted at existing soil phosphorus reserves might offer a solution.
Today’s nutrition crisis is a manifestation of the broader malfunctioning of our global food system. The specific factors linking the two warrant further investigation.
Food systems transformations are necessary, but will be difficult to achieve without disrupting current political framings and governance mechanisms. The academic community can do more to drive change at the science–policy interface to open a larger political, social and economic space for progress.
This year’s World Food Day is themed around water, in recognition of the essential connection between water and food. More research on the food–water nexus is key to guide effective solutions for our food and water crises.
The success of the European Union’s Farm to Fork strategy depends on the success of the expected legislative framework for sustainable food systems and the design and implementation of a new food systems governance architecture. Key elements include deliberative food systems governance and democracy, science–policy interfaces, independent progress monitoring, obligatory reporting rules and strategic and adaptive policy design.
Africa is still battling with hunger and malnutrition. While there are reasons for hope, accelerated transformation depends on curbing predatory behaviour and ensuring that change comes from the continent itself.