But a far better path is possible because of a diverse set of climate solutions from food systems that are at hand and able to scale globally. Ranging from reinvesting in age-old agricultural practices to cutting-edge technologies, the food system presents a wide range of opportunities that can deeply reduce emissions while also providing nutrition for all and improving the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Realizing the full potential of climate solutions in food, could, by 2030, generate $5 trillion per year in inclusive new business opportunities, create over 100 million well-paying jobs, and save $6 trillion annually in health and environmental costs.
Our Food & Agriculture Program
The ClimateWorks Food & Agriculture Program empowers a diverse and growing set of changemakers demanding that food make good on its potential as a climate solution, while improving global health, environmental quality, and combating injustice. Our grantees and partners work across the globe with particular focuses in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America. The group includes hundreds of NGOs, researchers, businesses, governments, and other funders.
Through our grantmaking and partnerships, we scale innovative technologies and ideas; advance ambitious laws, policies, and targets; and create conditions that enable business and consumer choices that align with a safe climate. We do this work within two core areas: the Protein Initiative and the Food Systems Transition Initiative.
Protein Initiative
More than half of all food system emissions come from protein production and consumption, and this figure is projected to skyrocket by 2050.
The potential negative impacts of consuming more protein without altering how it’s produced are profound — for the climate, ecosystems, and people.
To help catalyze the transformations that are required for the planet to thrive, our protein initiative seeks to improve the greenhouse gas efficiency of conventional protein production systems, scale up the supply of low-emissions alternatives, increase consumers’ choices, and build demand for climate-friendly protein.
Food System Transition Initiative
Despite the global food system’s considerable contribution to climate change, efforts to transform it are lagging — across public policy, private sector investment, civil society engagement, and catalytic philanthropy.
To address this opportunity, our initiative brings together foundations to learn, coordinate, and act on emergent opportunities. With a cross-sectoral lens, the initiative focuses on issues ranging from public finance, to agricultural innovation, to strategic communications, and beyond.
Contact us to learn more.
Resource
Mitigating climate change through regenerative agriculture
Opportunities for philanthropy and investment
In spring 2020, ClimateWorks engaged 27 experts from across the academic, business, investment, philanthropic, and advocacy communities to help explore regenerative agriculture as a climate solution.
