Smart Net-Zero

December 6, 2024 | ReliefWeb |

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched the Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with a $282 million investment and $1.8 billion in co-financing. Announced at the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this initiative aims to transform agrifood systems across 32 countries to be sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

Targeting crops, commodities, livestock, and aquaculture, FSIP focuses on mitigating methane emissions, reducing deforestation, and promoting integrated landscape management. The program supports sustainable practices for biodiversity, land restoration, and climate resilience, while enhancing food security and livelihoods. FSIP aligns with commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement. Building on a decade of GEF-backed initiatives, it introduces global coordination hubs to drive policy, private-sector investment, and innovation. This program underscores growing recognition of agrifood systems' role in combating climate change and biodiversity loss, addressing their underfunding in global climate finance.