A new evaluation tool, the Food Systems NDC Scorecard, launched today by Mercy For Animals and its partners, assesses how countries are incorporating food systems into their climate action plans. Food systems, responsible for about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, are often overlooked in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — the climate plans that each country submits under the Paris Agreement.
“Food systems are a critical lever for climate action”
The scorecard reveals that many countries address only a narrow portion of food systems, usually agricultural production, while neglecting other key stages like food consumption, distribution, and waste. As a result, many countries risk missing important opportunities to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
“Food systems are a critical lever for climate action. Without integrating comprehensive approaches across the entire food system, including production and shifting diets, ambitious climate targets remain out of reach,” said Amelia Linn, director of global policy at Mercy For Animals.
The assessments of 10 countries released today show significant variations in how food systems are addressed in their climate plans. Switzerland’s NDC scored the highest, with 11 out of 12 points, due to its comprehensive approach, including policies promoting plant-based diets and food waste reduction.
On the other hand, Brazil’s NDC scored the lowest, with just 6 out of 12, as it focused mainly on food production and lacked measures on food consumption and waste. Additionally, Brazil’s policies like expanding biofuel production were flagged as potentially harmful to climate and biodiversity goals.
The dangers of false solutions
The scorecard also spotlights some concerning trends, such as the continued expansion of agricultural frontiers and reliance on high-impact animal agriculture. “The continued reliance on false solutions, like agricultural expansion and industrial animal farming, risks undoing progress made in integrating food systems into climate plans,” said Stephanie Feldstein, director of population and sustainability at the Center for Biological Diversity.
Developed in collaboration with the Center for Biological Diversity, EAT, and the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment at Lewis & Clark Law School, the Food Systems NDC Scorecard provides a structured framework for countries to improve their food system policies. The tool evaluates actions across the food system, including production, consumption, and waste, while considering the synergies between food, health, and the environment.
The nexus of health & sustainability
Fabrice DeClerck, science director at EAT, stated, “Food is the nexus of human health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Shifts to healthy diets and regenerative agriculture are the best solutions for addressing climate change and improving both human and environmental health.”
The full results of the initial assessments are available on the Food Systems NDC Scorecard website. Additional country assessments will be released in October, ahead of COP30 in Belém.
