Smart Net-Zero

United Nations | Source | Download | 

Global energy and food systems face increasing demands amidst environmental and societal pressures. Agri-food systems alone consume 30% of global energy and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from fossil fuel reliance.

Opportunity: Transitioning to renewable energy sources in agri-food systems offers a pathway to enhance sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. Renewable energy can power essential stages from primary production to post-harvest processing, reducing losses and improving climate resilience.

Recommendations:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Enhance data availability for informed renewable energy investments in food systems. Conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses integrating environmental, social, economic, and gender perspectives.
• Financial Access: Facilitate financing mechanisms tailored to both energy supply (enterprises) and demand (agri-food end-users). Mobilize climate finance and local capital to scale renewable energy adoption.
• Integrated Approaches: Promote integrated food-energy systems (e.g., agri-voltaic systems) and water-energy-food nexus strategies to optimize resource use and synergy.
• Policy Integration: Mainstream cross-sectoral perspectives in national and regional strategies. Foster coordinated efforts among governments, private sectors, civil society, and end-users to drive systemic transformation.
• Innovation and Implementation: Support innovation through dedicated funds and partnerships to develop and deploy energy-efficient technologies tailored to agri-food needs.