Achieving food and nutrition security and climate change: Clash of the Titans or alignment of the stars?

In order to meet the demands of the world’s growing population, food production needs to increase by almost 60%, yet this is in the face of increasing global malnutrition, land scarcity, extreme weather events and rainfall pattern shifts. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) of ‘zero hunger’ requires a multifaceted approach which maximises synergism with climate change goals and minimises trade-offs. This approach requires transformative shifts in gender equality, education, research focus, technological development, market chains and agricultural practices. However, aspects of such transformative approaches can be in opposition to cultural beliefs, create household debt, increase labour requirements and place pressure on local resources. For enhanced SDG 2 and climate change outcomes, such trade-offs should be understood and minimised. Zero hunger is achieved by ensuring not just food security but also nutrition security for all people. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that some targets on achieving sustainable development goals, such as SDG 2 ‘zero hunger’, may benefit some countries or regions yet will undermine the ability for others to reach climate change goals. This chapter explores the synergisms and trade-offs between climate change goals and achieving zero hunger through food and nutrition security. Indicators for SDG 2 will be used to highlight synergies and trade-offs with climate change goals. These examples demonstrate the need for policy design to be contextual, respond to regional needs and allow individuals and communities to understand, prepare for and adjust their agricultural and social systems to support the diversifying of household income. Whilst this chapter primarily explores synergies and trade-offs, some considerations are suggested for future policy development and decision-makers.