This paper critically reviews existing scenarios on global food systems, published by key organizations and authors, to identify common themes of plausible food system futures, the key uncertainties and emerging radical ideas. It found radical scenarios have not significantly evolved but have taken on new dimensions, and consumption patterns, technology, and investment influence food systems significantly. 

Hundreds of millions of African consumers rely daily on a vast network of smallholder farmers, wholesalers, and retailers within the informal economy. Yet, national governments and foreign agencies continue to rely on conventional economic development models that often fail in these contexts. Why do we keep applying such misfitting approaches when informality is clearly central to feeding Africa?

This study calculated the emissions of beef, pork and chicken eaten in every city and town in the U.S. It found that emissions intensity differ by up to 345%, depending on where the animals were raised and what type of production system. 

This report by the UN's Institute for Water, Environment and Health finds that although agricultural trade disproportionately benefits the rich and widens both the water scarcity and inequity gap between the poor and the rich. Notably, in developing countries, the population (35%) suffering from both increased water scarcity and inequity are the poorest group (per capita income is 16% lower than average). 

This report by UNICEF examines how unhealthy food environments are shaping children’s and adolescents’ diets and contributing to the surge in overweight and obesity. It presents data on the status, trends and inequities in overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, and projects when obesity will overtake underweight as the more prevalent form of malnutrition. 

The report by EIT Food aims to build a shared European framework for food literacy that connects health, sustainability, culture, and society. While food literacy frameworks have been well established in countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK, this report is the first to contextualise it within the diverse realities of the European Union. 

This report by NGOs Foodrise, Friends of the Earth U.S., Greenpeace Nordic, and Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy presents the latest global assessment of the meat and dairy industry’s climate impact, estimating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by 45 of the world’s major meat and dairy processing companies in 2022/23. It found that if they were a country, they would be the world’s ninth highest GHG-emitting nation. 

Using Sweden as an illustrative case, this study explores actors’ perceptions of influence to change grain legume consumption and production, and examines system structures that support or hinder these actions. Findings suggest most actors attribute influence to others than themselves, most frequently the national government. 

This paper synthesises insights from 19 case studies in six African countries. Five key focus areas were identified: food system governance, indigenous crops and African foods, innovations for sustainable production among small-scale farmers, consumer preferences, and food loss and waste. Major priorities for transforming African food systems include inclusive engagement and the integration of indigenous knowledge to improve local food choices and resilience.