Enhancing NDCS for food systems: recommendations for decision-makers

This report provides guidance for policymakers to increase the ambition of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement by integrating the mitigation and adaptation potential of sustainable food systems. The paper covers food system activities—including production, processing, storage, and consumption—which are responsible for significant global greenhouse gas emissions and are major drivers of biodiversity loss. Methods include utilising a food system framework to identify key measures, such as reducing crop emissions and food waste, and shifting towards sustainable diets. While many countries include agriculture in their commitments, findings indicate that few address the entire food system. The document therefore suggests pathways for setting measurable indicators and targets to achieve more comprehensive, actionable climate outcomes.