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Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy
Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Publication | 2025
Tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation through the right to food

Climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation jointly undermine food systems, with the most severe impacts on marginalized communities. These interlinked crises threaten all six dimensions of food security, availability, access, utilization, stability, agency and sustainability.

There is abundant new evidence that could be mobilized to better consider the impacts on all dimensions of food security and on the progressive realization of the right to food in diverse ecological and social contexts.

The Rio Conventions and their implementing instruments, although primarily environmental, have very significant implications for realizing the right to food. Aligning environmental action with human rights obligations is essential for fair and lasting solutions. The right to food can be a powerful driver for the uptake and effectiveness of environmental policies.

Finally, the note examines opportunities to enhance synergies for the implementation of the Rio Conventions and the realization of the right to food and offers practical policy recommendations.