Technical brief
Executive summary
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
