Climate Change Threatens Global Food Security: The Urgent Call from IFAD

Climate change and insufficient political action are predicted to leave nearly 600 million people in hunger by 2030, especially in low-income countries. The IFAD report underscores the need for immediate steps and financing to support small-scale food producers and address gaps in food security systems.

NEW DELHI, July 24 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Climate-driven shocks, coupled with scant finance and government action, will leave nearly 600 million people living in hunger by 2030, the head of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) told The Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's launch of IFAD's report on the global state of hunger and nutrition, the agency's president Alvaro Lario stressed the urgency of political will in achieving the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030. Failure to do so could lead to forced migration, fewer jobs, and worsening conflicts over resources.

The report highlighted that over a third of the world's population couldn't afford a healthy diet in 2022, with more than 70% of those people in low-income countries. Immediate steps and significant investments are needed to support small-scale food producers and address gaps in food security systems to prevent chronic undernourishment.

(With inputs from agencies.)