Transforming food systems is complex - there are many different pieces that need to be assembled to deliver healthy and sustainable diets for all. There needs to be action at multiple levels - coming together to address global goals, building pathways at the national level, and equipping other actors (like cities, businesses and individuals) to make better and more sustainable choices. Solving this Great Food Puzzle relies on the many stakeholders working within food systems to close the gaps that currently exist in the ambiiton and implementation of various commitments and plans.

We work with partners and stakeholders across food systems, using food to shape solutions to global issues like biodiversity, climate change and land use. Together we integrate action across several key areas of food systems, including nature-positive agriculture, healthy and sustainable diets, food loss and waste, blue foods and grasslands and savannahs. We identify and support implementation of innovations in these key areas, on the ground and in the water, working with various local stakeholders to deliver the maximum impact in the shortest amount of time.

Food intersects with most of the primary conservation issues. We work at the global level to shape agendas and ensure that food systems transformation is included as a solution to biodiversity loss, climate change and land-use change. We also focus on reshaping subsidies, incentives, taxes and investments, to shift away from encouraging harmful behaviours to rewarding healthy and sustainable practices.

Global targets for food systems transformation need to be downscaled to local contexts. Implementation will take place at the national and sub-national level. We take a food systems approach, working to scale nature-positive production, shift to healthier and more sustainable diets, and to eliminate food loss and waste. Our area-based conservation focuses on grasslands and savannahs, the ecosystems in which most food is produced - though they are often overlooked in conservation and transformation agendas.

Alongside national governments, there are many different groups who drive action on the ground. We work with food producers, businesses, individuals, cities and more to deliver action on the ground. This is a sample of the programmes run across multiple countries.

Our experts from around the world work together to tackle the global food, nature and climate crises. Leading the team is João Campari, who, in roles ranging from working in his home country Brazil’s Ministry of Environment to international agencies such as the World Bank, has sought to balance agricultural production and food systems with conservation. Learn more about Joao and our specialists in policy, science and key areas of our work.