ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO NUTRITION SECURITY

Abstract

Background/Aim: More than one billion people are suffering malnutrition. Food and nutrition security have deteriorated and reductions in child malnutrition are proceeding too slowly to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving hunger by 2015. Three major challenges threaten current and future efforts to overcome food and nutrition insecurity: climate change, the growing use of food crops as a source of fuel and the soaring food prices. Methods: The analysis of the impacts of climate change of climate change and bioenergy on health, food and nutrition security is based on the four-dimensional food security framework defined by FAO’s Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FIVIMS) combined with a nutrition security framework which includes environmental health, house hold food access and maternal and child care practices. The paper provides a cross sectoral analysis of the adaptation strategies and policies to address climate change and bioenergy challenges. Results: Climate change is projected to affect the health status of millions of people through increases in malnutrition. Climate change and variability exacerbates climate-sensitive impediments to sustainable development faced by developing countries particularly in Africa and SE Asia. Two case studies in Ethiopia and Bangladesh suggest that to address these challenges requires integrated approaches for adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development. Strategies include measures that would simultaneously reduce pressures on biodiversity and food and nutrition security and contribute to carbon sequestration. Conclusion: Agriculture, health, and nutrition security policies need to be integrated onto national and international climate change agendas, in order to devise effective and pro-poor policies. Efforts to improve food and nutrition security in the face of challenges, including climate change and bioenergy production should to place the achievement of the MDGs at the centre of human endeavour. In particular, it remains essential to accelerate progress in reducing poverty and malnutrition while protecting the environment in Sub-Saharan Africa and SE Asia.