Climate change poses a significant threat to our world, notably to food systems. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) recently published the Global Food Policy Report: Climate Change & Food Systems. The report reveals that, due to climate change, India’s vulnerability to hunger could escalate by 23% by 2030.
Projected Consequences for India
The report from the IFPRI outlines how India’s food production could plummet by 16% due to the effects of climate change. Additionally, the number of Indians at risk of hunger could surge by 23% come 2030. This projection was derived from a model used to assess the impact of climate change on food production, consumption, major food commodity trade, and the population potentially facing hunger. According to estimates, around 73.9 million Indians in 2030 could be at risk of hunger, a number that could rise to 90.6 million considering the effects of climate change.
The food production index, which includes nutrient-rich, edible food crops, is predicted to dip from 1.6 to 1.5 under similar circumstances. However, it is important to note that this projection does not foresee any drastic changes in the average calorie consumption of Indians, which is foreseen to hover around 2,600 kcal per capita per day by 2030.
Global Projection on Food Production Amid Climate Change
In the larger global picture, baseline forecasts indicate that global food production will grow approximately 60% over 2010 levels by 2050, despite climate change. Most of this projected growth in production and demand is expected to occur in developing countries, especially in Africa, owing to population and income growth.
The Connection between Food Production and Climate Change
Food system activities, including food production, transportation, and landfill storage of wasted food, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and subsequent climate change. Among these actors, livestock production stands out as the largest, accounting for an estimated 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
Recommendations from the Global Food Policy Report
The report gives several recommendations for addressing these challenges. These include increased investment in research and development for innovative technologies, improved management of land and water resources, prioritizing healthy diets and sustainable food production, improving efficiency in value chains, strengthening social protection programs, and financing the transition to more sustainable production and consumption methods.
About International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Established in 1975, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and combat hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. They focus on five strategic research areas: promoting climate-resilient and sustainable food supply, promoting healthy diets and nutrition for all, building inclusive and efficient markets, transforming agricultural and rural economies, and strengthening institutions and governance.