Global food system reforms falling far short of 2030 targets, study finds

A new report tracking progress on sustainable food systems finds that most internationally agreed goals, including eliminating hunger and cutting agricultural emissions, are unlikely to be met by 2030. The study, led by the Food Systems Countdown Initiative, shows that global agri-food emissions are still rising, and reaching net-zero by 2030 would require a 70% annual improvement in every region over the next four years. Researchers say such acceleration is virtually impossible, with most countries shifting only about 5% per year.

The Food Systems Countdown Initiative's report, published in Nature Food, tracks roughly 50 metrics across nearly every country, including dietary costs, crop yields, and agricultural emissions. Researchers found global agri-food emissions continue climbing, representing about one-third of human-caused greenhouse gases. Achieving net-zero in this sector by 2030 would demand a 70 percent annual improvement across all regions for four consecutive years, yet most nations currently shift only about 5 percent annually on key indicators. The authors also launched an interactive dashboard displaying country-level progress, noting that regional averages can mask individual nations performing well or stagnating simultaneously.