Short Summary:

UNESCAP developed a framework called INFER (INsights on Food SystEm Risks). INFER is designed to offer a comprehensive risk assessment model for the food system. It maps out the connections between key drivers of change and their impacts on each aspect of food security.

Description (Details):

The food system is a complex, interconnected system influenced by a multitude of factors. Environmental elements such as climate change and socio-economic conditions significantly shape how food systems behave. The intricate relationships between these systems are increasingly acknowledged, particularly as climate change impacts worsen. However, there is currently no established risk assessment approach that fully addresses this complexity. The need to monitor and evaluate whether there is a meaningful transformation of food systems was recognized during the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and other international forums. Despite this acknowledgment, a unified methodology to track progress did not yet exist. This absence of a standardized approach made it challenging for policymakers to make informed decisions based on reliable risk assessments. Furthermore, the lack of standard datasets across various government ministries that deal with food systems further complicated policy coordination and effective decision-making.

To address these challenges, UNESCAP developed the INFER framework as a comprehensive risk assessment model specifically for the food system. The framework begins by identifying three primary drivers that impact the food system: natural changes, including climate change; socio-political factors; and economic conditions. These drivers are then examined in terms of how they influence the core aspects of food security. Such aspects are classified into three categories: availability and utilization; stability, access and agency; and sustainability. Here, INFER organizes food security elements by classifying traditional food security concepts while adding an element of sustainability. The framework then assesses how these aspects of food security affect broader outcomes such as human health and nutrition, shared prosperity, and the health of ecosystems. By mapping out the connections between the three key drivers and their impacts on each aspect of food security, the INFER framework provides a clearer perspective on the complex dynamics of the food system.

Building on this framework, UNESCAP has undertaken a large-scale initiative to collect and analyze data from 49 countries across the Asia-Pacific region. This collected and analyzed data is presented through the INFER dashboard, which provides policymakers and practitioners with a comprehensive overview of food system risks in each country. The dashboard is designed to serve as a tool to help governments and stakeholders formulate policies and strategies that address the risks and challenges facing their food systems. By organizing and presenting the risks in this way, the INFER framework allows for more informed policy decisions that take into account the complexity of the food system and its relationship with environmental, socio-political, and economic factors. Ultimately, the goal of INFER is to support the development of more resilient food systems in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, capable of addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change and other risk factors.