New Report Identifies Progress and Challenges in Food Systems Transformation in Countdown to 2030
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Published on
17.01.25

A groundbreaking new study, “Governance and resilience as entry points for transforming food systems in the countdown to 2030”, just published in Nature Food offers the first comprehensive analysis of changes in key food system indicators since 2000.
Co-authored by CGIAR researchers, including Ismahane Elouafi, Fabrice DeClerck, and Namukolo Covic, the study sheds light on critical trends, challenges, and opportunities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The peer-reviewed research was conducted by the Food Systems Countdown Initiative (FSCI), a collaboration of global experts and organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Columbia University, Cornell University, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The resulting report tracks 50 global food system indicators across five themes: 1) diets, nutrition, and health; 2) environment, natural resources, and production; 3) livelihoods, poverty, and equity; 4) resilience; and 5) governance.
Key Findings
The study revealed both encouraging progress and emerging concerns within global food systems. On a positive note, improvements were observed in 20 of the 42 metrics analyzed over time, with significant advances in access to safe water, increased availability of vegetables, and enhanced conservation of plant and animal genetic resources. These gains have bolstered the resilience of food systems to climate shocks and other disruptions.
However, several critical challenges remain, with seven indicators showing a significant decline, including increased food price volatility, deteriorating government accountability, and reduced civil society participation. These shifts suggest challenges in maintaining stability and policy coherence amid global crises.
The findings highlight the interconnected nature of food systems, where changes in one area—such as governance or diet quality—can influence others. Case studies from Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Netherlands illustrate how these dynamics play out in different contexts, emphasizing the importance of coordinated, cross-sectoral approaches.
A Call to Action
The report identifies governance and resilience as pivotal leverage points for catalyzing food system transformation. Targeted improvements in these areas could amplify progress across multiple indicators, unlocking synergies and mitigating trade-offs between competing goals such as climate, nutrition, and livelihoods.
Ismahane Elouafi, a co-author and Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, shared, “This report highlights the urgency of transforming food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Governance and resilience are not just indicators but the foundations for creating equitable, sustainable, and inclusive food systems.”
Fabrice DeClerck, CGIAR researcher and co-author, added, “This study is a powerful tool for guiding policymakers and stakeholders. By tracking the speed of change, it provides actionable insights to accelerate transformation in the final push toward 2030.”
Next Steps
As the study reveals, addressing persistent gaps while building on areas of progress will require coordinated, cross-sectoral efforts. CGIAR and partners remain committed to improving data and metrics to provide the evidence base needed for true food system transformation.
The report identifies governance and resilience as pivotal leverage points for food system transformation. Targeted improvements in these areas could catalyze positive changes across other indicators, amplifying global progress.
Header photo: Villager Topping a Pot in Malawi. IFPRI