Technical brief
The COP30 Presidency has placed food systems transformation at the heart of its climate agenda, recognizing that climate change threatens the livelihoods of over 500 million small-scale producers and worsens hunger for more than 700 million people already facing food insecurity. Food systems also generate nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions while receiving only 3% of climate finance. Catalyzing investment in science-backed solutions offers an opportunity to strengthen resilience, cut emissions, and enhance global food security.
The Food Systems Transformation – Science and Philanthropy Advisory Group (FST-SPAG) was launched in Brazil in March 2025 to support the COP30 Presidency’s food systems agenda. Co-chaired by Embrapa, Community Jameel, and CGIAR, the group convenes leading scientific organizations and philanthropic actors to identify and elevate programs that are rigorous, investable, and scalable.
The FST-SPAG has identified four priority areas that directly support COP30’s Food and Agriculture Axis:
- Harnessing data science, AI, and emerging technologies
- Scaling sustainable inputs for agricultural resilience
- Developing climate-resilient and climate-friendly crops
- Supporting sustainable livestock systems
