Latest IPCC report: Agroecological practices support food security

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published its latest report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The report addresses the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, biodiversity, and humans, the vulnerabilities, and the capacities and limitations to adapt to climate change.

Human-induced climate change has caused widespread adverse impacts and losses and damages to nature and people. This is very apparent also in our food system where impacts of climate change, such as climate-related extremes, have adversely affected food production and reduced food security globally. Unsustainable agricultural expansion increases the vulnerability of ecosystems and humans.

While agriculture and the food system are under threat by climate change impacts, the report also presents an array of solutions if we act fast enough and do not miss the ‘brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all’.

With high confidence, the IPCC report states that agroecological practices, and other agricultural approaches that work with natural processes, support food security, health and well-being, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Ecosystem-based approaches are contributing to pollination, soil health, pest control, buffering of temperature extremes and carbon sequestration. However, the potential and trade-offs vary in different contexts. Agroecology can improve the resilience of the food system, support the long-term productivity and reduce the reliance on external inputs. Some practices can also provide mitigation measures.

A transition to organic farming and agroecological practices is key to reduce and adapt to adverse impacts of climate change. Shifting to sustainable food systems must happen now and cannot be further delayed.

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