World Bank Warns Global Food System Driving Climate Crisis, Calls for Urgent Reform

 

The World Bank has issued a stark warning that the global food system is in urgent need of reform, describing it as both damaging to the planet and a major driver of climate change. According to its latest study, Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System, food production contributes nearly one-third of all global greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock and deforestation leading the charge.

Livestock farming alone generates 25.9 percent of global agri-food emissions, largely due to methane released by cattle and intensive feed production. Net forest conversion, including deforestation for croplands and grazing, contributes another 18.4 percent. These activities not only worsen global warming but also destroy ecosystems that naturally store carbon, accelerating biodiversity loss and undermining long-term food security.

The World Bank stresses that without immediate reforms, the food system will remain incompatible with the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. But it also emphasizes that agriculture can be transformed into a powerful climate solution if sustainable practices are scaled up.

A Roadmap for Transformation

The report outlines a series of interventions that go beyond emissions reduction, highlighting synergies with soil health, water conservation, and ecosystem restoration. Practices such as agroforestry, forest conservation, and sustainable land management are presented as win-win strategies that not only cut carbon but also boost crop resilience and farmer livelihoods.

For instance, agroforestry—integrating trees into croplands—improves soil fertility, provides shade for crops, and creates diversified income sources such as timber, fruits, and nuts. Similarly, forest restoration not only stores carbon but also helps regulate water cycles, reduce flooding, and restore biodiversity. The report estimates that every $1 invested in such ecosystem services can yield returns of $7–$30, making them among the most cost-effective climate solutions available.

Role of High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries

The report calls on high-income countries (HICs) to lead with financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building. Wealthy nations are urged to shift agricultural subsidies away from carbon-intensive livestock and monoculture crops toward sustainable alternatives, while also supporting developing nations in adopting cleaner technologies.

Middle-income countries (MICs), which account for the bulk of global food system emissions due to their rapid population growth and rising demand for protein, are seen as pivotal. If MICs adopt sustainable land-use practices, they could cut one-third of global agri-food emissions, with tropical forest conservation alone preventing up to 5 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

For low-income countries (LICs), the opportunity lies in avoiding the mistakes made by industrialized economies. By leapfrogging directly into climate-smart agriculture, LICs can build greener, more competitive economies while meeting development goals. The World Bank highlights Africa in particular, where vast tracts of land suitable for agroforestry and restoration could drive both food security and carbon storage.

Economic and Social Benefits

Beyond climate, reforming food systems is positioned as a driver of jobs, investment, and resilience. Sustainable farming methods can reduce dependence on costly chemical fertilizers, improve yields, and strengthen farmers’ ability to withstand droughts and floods. In Nigeria, for example, large-scale solar-powered irrigation and reforestation under the Great Green Wall have already restored more than five million hectares, showing how climate-smart interventions can boost rural economies.

The World Bank also highlights the role of sustainable food systems in addressing public health. Diets dominated by processed, high-emission foods not only drive emissions but also contribute to rising rates of malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. Shifting subsidies and investments toward diverse, nutritious, low-emission foods could yield health and economic dividends.

The Investment Imperative

To achieve meaningful change, the report argues that trillions of dollars will be needed in climate finance by 2035, with agriculture at the center of this funding. Private investors, governments, and multilateral lenders must align resources to incentivize sustainable practices and penalize destructive ones.

The report also points to the growing carbon credit market as an opportunity, but stresses the need for high-integrity credits tied to real forest conservation and restoration. If properly managed, carbon finance could provide a new revenue stream for rural communities while helping companies and nations meet net-zero targets.

A Turning Point for Global Food Security

Ultimately, the World Bank frames food system reform as one of the most urgent and cost-effective levers for addressing climate change. “The choices we make in how we grow, trade, and consume food will decide whether we meet our climate goals,” the report concludes.

For policymakers, the message is clear: food is not just about feeding populations, it is about shaping the future of economies, ecosystems, and the planet itself.