Learn more about the Work Programme and the COP30 Action Agenda. Read here.

Transforming food systems for people, nature and climate: A shared call to action

The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions (HLCs) have collaborated with Non-State Actors - from farmers and fishers to businesses, cities, civil society, consumers and all those engaged in food systems – to develop a Non-State Actors Call to Action for Transf Transforming food systems for people, nature and climate: A shared call to action

Friday, 10 November 2023 | By Climate Champions

Share This Page:

Food is essential to life on earth. It provides us with vital nutrients for health and wellbeing, and connects us to our families, communities, cultures, and the natural world. Today, food systems face unprecedented and accelerating challenges, but they also have enormous potential to be part of the solution, safeguarding food and nutrition security and creating more inclusive, equitable and prosperous economies and societies.

Currently, food systems contribute to and are affected by nature and biodiversity loss, climate change, and conflict. Global food and agriculture as a whole is responsible for more than one third of greenhouse gas emissions, up to 70 percent of freshwater use, and as much as 80 percent of biodiversity loss. Unsustainable food systems undermine food and nutrition security and threaten the livelihoods of frontline food systems actors.

While 30 percent of food is lost or wasted, over 900 million people are food insecure, many of whom work in agriculture, and over 3 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. As recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and extreme weather events reveal, the vulnerabilities of our food systems to external shocks are clear.

The call to transform our food systems into one that is resilient, fair, and sustainable is echoing louder than ever.

The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions (HLCs) have collaborated with Non-State Actors' from farmers and fishers to businesses, cities, civil society, consumers and all those engaged in food systems – to develop a Non-State Actors Call to Action for Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate.

The Call to Action mobilizes collective efforts around a shared vision of food systems that deliver significant, measurable progress for people, nature, and climate by 2030. Through this shared agenda, we aim to scale action, raise ambition, and unlock the potential of food systems as one of the main solutions for people, nature, and climate.

All of us have a role to play. Those who endorse the Call to Action will be invited to submit Statements of Action which will go towards informing a package of announcements on food systems transformation at COP28.

Find out more.

Related Reading

Boris’s story: Bringing “positive deviance” into the fight for ocean and climate health

Boris’s story: Bringing “positive deviance” into the fight for ocean and climate health

29 August 2025

Storytelling Enviroment Adaptation Food Policy Interview Nature: Ocean & Coastal Zones Ocean Breakthroughs
Race to Resilience in action: The unlikely link between goat milk, elephants, and women’s leadership in Africa

Race to Resilience in action: The unlikely link between goat milk, elephants, and women’s leadership in Africa

28 August 2025

News Inclusion Human Settlements Nature: Land Use, Food, Agriculture Race to Resilience
Race to Resilience in Action: New finance model protects the ocean for the long term

Race to Resilience in Action: New finance model protects the ocean for the long term

15 August 2025

Storytelling Nature Campaigns Adaptation Nature: Ocean & Coastal Zones Resilience Nature Positive for Climate Action Ocean Breakthroughs Race to Resilience
Derek's story: Protecting the last wild edges of Australia’s ocean frontier

Derek's story: Protecting the last wild edges of Australia’s ocean frontier

14 August 2025

Storytelling Enviroment Nature Inclusion Breakthroughs Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda Nature: Ocean & Coastal Zones Ocean Breakthroughs Nature Positive for Climate Action Resilience Race to Zero Race to Resilience