The key role of food systems in biodiversity restoration

22 December 2023 – A challenge of complexity and competing priorities.

The role of food in our daily lives is not only fundamental to supporting life for a growing population; it is deeply embedded in our diverse culture, social interactions and daily routines. While rising populations and changes in demand trends have added pressure to the sector, the decline in natural ecosystems and biodiversity puts a critical strain on the food system.

Further destruction of ecosystems and habitats threatens our ability to sustain human populations. [1] The global food system is a primary driver of this biodiversity loss, which will continue to accelerate unless we change how we produce food.

19%	16%	151	12%
Across the UK, species studied have declined on average by 19% since 1970	Nearly one in six species are threatened with extinction from Great Britain	of 10,008 species assessed have already become extinct since 1500	In Northern Ireland, 12% of assessed species were at risk of extinction

The recent UK State of the Nature,[2] indicates that 16% of the supporting natural ecosystems[3] are being degraded at unacceptable rates, causing the continued acceleration of species loss.

The global picture mirrors the UK's, with WWF reporting that continents have seen between 24%-94% biodiversity loss since 1970[4]. Both due to their reliance on biodiversity and our reliance on them, food systems must be part of the solution to achieve a sustainable future for us all.

Source: Mackay Cartoons

The urgency and scale of the need to restore nature is evident. Biodiversity loss is a catastrophe that dwarfs similar issues, one of extreme urgency and one we cannot afford to fail on.

COP15 Kunming Montreal represented a milestone moment. The resulting Global Biodiversity Framework[5] offers four goals and 23 targets to help us realise an outcome of living in harmony with nature by 2050.

The ask is clear, but the how to succeed is not. The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) report, Creating a Sustainable Food Future[6], captures the interconnections with other priorities and the complexity of food systems well.

What role must food systems have?

Janet Ranganathan, from WRI, offers a framework that captures the role for food systems very well and challenges us to continue to increase yields and consider how we might shift diets in high-consuming countries away from greenhouse gas (GHG) and/or land-intensive foods.

Food systems must simultaneously:

Produce more food and fibre on existing or less land, sustainably
Reduce projected growth in demand for goods that have a large land footprint
Protect remaining natural ecosystems from conversion and degradation
Restore degraded areas into productive ecosystems

Taking Action

This framing offers strategies for success. Culture, innovation and technology often offer the solutions to adopt. From the invention of the steel plough by John Deere in 1837; a focus on organic farming in more recent years; or major technological advancements, such as vertical farming with companies such as Jones Food Company[7] reducing demand elsewhere and providing direct, local environmental and social benefits. All offer solutions to meet specific needs and address specific challenges.

Some foundational approaches will support appropriate action in line with the urgency and scale of change needed.

Commit and make nature part of what we do every day.

“Sustainability” is an anagram of “say it as built-in”, and such change must be fully embedded in all we do. If we can commit a Nature Positive[8] outcome, as led by Business for Nature[9], we share a common purpose with other leaders and a secure position to make progress.

Get moving and don't "baseline."

Don’t wait for perfection and complete alignment. A “baseline” tends to measure where you were two years ago (by the time you finish it). If you estimate that you are a long way from your target, then you don’t need precision, you need to take significant steps. As you get close to the target, you will need to measure more specifically, if only to prove the status you are now at. Making 80% progress is as good as 85% in an ever-changing world.

Consider context and materiality in your approach.

Food production is inherently “nature negative”. Equally, changes in nature, from flood and drought to species loss and disease, will directly impact land and value chains. Climate change and the actions of others in the same landscape directly restrict the headspace to operate or to grow. Accounting for food loss and waste across all value chains[10] will relieve headspace, especially if a land constraint exists. A double materiality[11] approach will ensure you address your impact on nature and what risks and opportunities it has for you.

Fund the transition.

Society and key stakeholders want to see nature protected. To succeed, support is needed for those in the value chain who are asked to make necessary changes. Farmers do more than many realise to support climate and nature[12], but delivery costs and resources are needed. All producers and countries support action for initiatives such as the Deforestation Policy[13] from the EU, but this must be supported by the funds and resources needed for the transition. Implementation must not be restrictive; it must be practical and not cause unintended consequences, as highlighted recently by Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre.[14]

Getting started

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership offers a range of thought leadership across sectors from food to nature-based solutions[15], grounded in practitioner insights from exceptional people from business, policy and academia, to help support you on your journey to a nature-positive future.