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We are a leading charity, working at the centre of the giving world. We help donors to give more impactfully and charities to build their resilience so they can do more of their life-changing work.
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James Bowles
Impact Adviser
Food systems around the world account for up to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and are a leading cause of biodiversity loss. Yet, progress towards developing sustainable food systems is slow. So how can philanthropy help change this?
CAF recently supported a client with an ambition to use their giving to improve the environmental sustainability of food systems, a complex and drastically under-funded area. Through research and conversations with international experts, we helped to identify organisations working on this topic and unlock the important role that philanthropy can play.
A sustainable food system is one that delivers nutritious, affordable food for all and has a positive, or at least neutral, impact on the planet. Our research found that at present, most of the world’s food systems are environmentally unsustainable. Food systems represent between 26% and 34% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and the widespread use of chemicals in farming, livestock production, fishing and aquaculture has become a significant source of water and soil pollution. Over the past 50 years, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion (for crop production or livestock grazing) has been the primary cause of biodiversity decline.
Food systems are complex and while there are several ‘levers’ that can be pulled to make them more sustainable, our research identified some priorities for bringing about change.
Promote and invest in sustainable farming practices to reduce the use of fossil fuels and chemicals, increase biodiversity and nutrition, and support local food economies and community decision-making. We know that shifting to agroecological approaches brings more stable harvests, stronger crops and better incomes for farmers and food producers.
Shift public subsidies away from practices that damage food systems. Currently, it is estimated that annual government spending on agricultural, forestry and fisheries subsidies that degrade nature is up to four times higher than spending that benefits nature.
Challenge dominant ideas about what a sustainable food system looks like. Highlight that the current model is unsustainable and that there are positive stories of change happening which can be scaled and replicated.
The overwhelming message from the food systems experts we spoke to is that work to transform our food systems is underfunded. While public sector funding for climate transition work has doubled in recent years, the share going to food systems has decreased from 3% to 2.5%. Philanthropy can help fill this gap — but right now, only 0.16% of global philanthropic giving supports food and agricultural change.
From our research, here is what we know is urgently needed:
Unrestricted, multi-year grants to cover the core costs of running an organisation and that can be used for capacity building or cross-sector collaboration. This type of funding is hard to find and allows organisations to develop their long-term resilience.
Funding that spans multiple issues and geographies, rather than limiting support to narrow topics or certain geographies. This requires a broad, connected approach.
Funding that strengthens food producers, citizens and civil society — particularly in areas dominated by anti-environmental groups or large corporations. Philanthropy can offer neutrality and independence for social purpose organisations.
Funding to support ‘riskier’ or more politically challenging projects where philanthropy can be truly catalytic.
Through this research we helped our client turn their passion into action, giving them insights and expert perspectives. Their giving strategy now focuses on three critical areas of sustainable food systems: international policy reform, improving agroecological practices, and tackling cross-cutting challenges.
We are deeply grateful to the food systems experts who generously shared their knowledge and helped inform this approach.
At CAF, our advisory team is here to do the same for you. We support donors at every stage of their giving journey — helping you understand the chosen cause areas and develop a personalised, meaningful giving strategy that reflects your values and achieves real impact.
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