The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Aspirational or obtainable?

Dietitians as change agents for promoting healthy and sustainable food systems

<scp>IFST</scp> vision for a <scp>UK</scp>‐wide national food strategy

Future Trends and the Pace of Change: Are We Ready?: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an undeniable case for change. Life, work and organizations will never be “back to normal.” This opens up massive opportunities to raise our awareness of future trends and to elevate our profession, build resilience, increase our influence and visibility, and infuse futuristic competencies into our

Future of food: Innovating towards sustainable healthy diets

The <scp>SDGs</scp>: A change agenda shaping the future of business and humanity at large

To Achieve a Sustainable Blue Future, Progress Assessments Must Include Interdependencies between the Sustainable Development Goals

Rwanda’s Off-Grid Solar Performance Targets

The Sustainable Development Goal 2 “Zero hunger” (SDG2) sets clear global targets for ensuring access to sufficient food and healthy nutrition for all by 2030, while keeping food systems within sustainable boundaries and protecting livelihoods. Yet, the current trends show the level of challenge ahead, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens the global development prospects. Intrinsically, SDG2 presents some points of tension between its internal targets and brings some synergies but also strong trade-offs with other sustainable development goals. \textlessbr /\textgreater We summarize in this paper the main relations between SDG2 targets and the other development goals and explain how the modelling literature has analyzed the SDG interactions around “Zero hunger”. SDG2 integrates four ambitious objectives – adequate food, no malnutrition, in increased incomes for smallholders, greater sustainability – that will require careful implementation to be conducted in synergy. We show that the compatibility of these objectives will depend on the interplay of future food demand drivers and the contribution of productivity gains across the food system. \textlessbr /\textgreater Analyzing the SDGs’ interrelations reveals the strong synergies between SDG2 and some other basic subsistence goals, in particular, Goal 1 “No poverty” and Goal 3 “Good health and well- being”. These goals need to be jointly addressed in order to succeed in “Zero hunger”. Several other SDGs have been shown to be key enablers for SDG2, in particular on the socio-economic side. On the other hand, agricultural production substantially contributes to the risks of exceeding critical global sustainability thresholds. We illustrate how recent modelling work has shed light on the interface between future food and nutrition needs, and the various environmental dimensions. Specifically, several important SDGs have been shown to compete directly with SDG2 through their common demands for scarce natural resources – including land for climate (SDG13), for biodiversity (SDG15) and for cities (SDG11), as well as the provision of water, both for the environment and for human needs (SDG6). Quantitative assessments show that more efficient production systems and technologies, pricing of externalities, and integrated resource management can mitigate some of these tradeoffs, but are unlikely to succeed in resolving these altogether. \textlessbr /\textgreater The success of achieving SDG2 in the face of these challenges will require new investments, smoothly functioning trade and effective markets, as well as changes in consumption patterns. Forward-looking analyses of global food systems indicate that deep transformations combining various measures will be needed to simultaneously achieve SDG2 targets while remaining within the planetary boundaries. These require fundamental changes, both on the supply side and on the demand side, and highlight the importance of SDG12 on “responsible production and consumption”.

This study explores how gender-responsive artificial intelligence (AI) can transform higher education participatory rural appraisal (PRA) research to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 - Zero Hunger - by harmonising traditional and modern food processing practices in Uganda. Amidst rapid technological progress, AI’s potential remains disproportionately urban-centric, sidelining rural women who dominate Uganda’s traditional food systems yet face systemic barriers to accessing modern innovations. Through a mixed-methods approach including a systematic review of global AI applications in agriculture, analysis of national and international policy frameworks, and community-driven PRA case studies, this research uncovers critical gaps in gender-equitable AI adaptation within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Findings reveal that socio-economic disparities, limited digital literacy, and infrastructural inequities exclude women from AI-driven solutions, thus undermining Uganda’s progress toward sustainable agriculture. However, HEIs emerge as pivotal agents of change. This is because, by embedding gender-responsive AI into participatory research curricula, universities can co-design inclusive technologies that amplify women’s expertise in traditional food preservation while integrating modern efficiencies. This study proposes a tripartite strategy: (1) Gender-sensitive AI training programs tailored to rural contexts, (2) Low-cost, culturally relevant AI tools for decentralised food processing, and (3) Cross-sector partnerships linking academia, policymakers, and grassroots innovators to align AI initiatives with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) targets. This work challenges the global AI paradigm by centring marginalised voices and demonstrating how participatory, gender-responsive education frameworks can catalyse equitable technological adoption. Its actionable insights offer a blueprint for HEIs worldwide to harness AI as a tool for social justice, bridging the divide between tradition and innovation to build resilient, inclusive food systems.

BackgroundThe UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (‘Zero Hunger’) aims to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030. Thus, a range of different strategies are needed to facilitate the achievement of SDG 2 to overcome challenges and enable synergies between various SDG targets.ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to highlight Africa’s progress toward SDG 2, including targets, strategies, synergies and challenges.MethodsWe scrutinized published research articles in peer-reviewed journals, UN reports and in-country Africa reports (between 2015 and 2020) that were relevant to the current topic.ResultsSeveral hunger indicators are showing slow progress or even deterioration in Africa. The prevalence of undernourishment in the general population was 19.1% in 2019 and is expected to increase to 25.7% by 2030. Improvements in child stunting in several regions in Africa are slow, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where about 34% of under-fives were stunted in 2012 and 31% in 2019. In Eastern Africa, stunting prevalence decreased from 38% in 2012 to 34% in 2019. Major drivers of hunger are poor governance and state fragility, war and conflicts, increasing inequality, weak economic development, climate change, biodegradation – and now lately the Covid 19 pandemic – factors that all increase food insecurity.ConclusionAfrica is off track to reach SDG – ‘Zero Hunger’ – by 2030. Current efforts and progress are insufficient. Africa must champion the SDG agenda on a national, regional and global level to facilitate synergies to unlock the potential for reaching ‘Zero Hunger’ throughout the continent.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are designed to address the major challenges facing societies. They outline a comprehensive framework for possible solutions to these challenges. SDG 2 aims to achieve global food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture with the goal of “Zero Hunger”. Science diplomacy plays an important role at critical points in the implementation of SDG 2. The most fundamental step in developing effective solution strategies is to understand the problem from all its aspects with a scientific approach. This goal can be achieved through the two-way interaction of the evidence and power of science and the communication and mutually beneficial potential of diplomacy. The use of science diplomacy to promote cooperation in various fields contributes to the dissemination of international research projects, research and development, technological advances and progress towards SDG 2. The importance of global policies to address food system challenges is emphasized. Policies and initiatives targeting food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture and ending hunger are supported by science diplomacy principles that encourage investments and international cooperation in these areas. Through science diplomacy, scientific knowledge is shared more internationally and best practices and models can be disseminated between countries. Science can also contribute to improving diplomatic relations by building international bridges to achieve a common and correct goal. Science diplomacy can be effective in creating a moderate response to some diplomatic crises, such as wars, and can also contribute to solutions in situations such as economic crises and epidemics. Using science as a tool has the potential to preserve progress towards SDG 2 and prevent regression. Scientific evidence-based policies aimed at achieving SDG 2 should be guided by lifting trade embargoes between countries and increasing the efficiency of global food markets. Such an approach helps secure food supplies for societies. It supports the common goal of ending hunger. Countries are expected to engage in and support science diplomacy to achieve SDG 2 and end hunger. Furthermore, it is imperative to increase cooperation to harness the potential power of science diplomacy to achieve the global goal of “SDG 2: Zero Hunger.”

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health system & Sustainable Development Goal 3.

The “Decade of Action” on Food Security and Nutrition marks a new determination to eliminate all manner of hunger and malnutrition. However, this is not the case now as our global food system is currently unsustainable with food production, distribution and consumption practices not environmentally friendly. In order to contribute to the “Decade of Action”, global food systems need to be sustainable as well as be available for all without having adverse effects on the economic, social and environmental bases for future generations. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 targets, especially the SDG Goal 2: Zero Hunger, the need to outline alternative innovative ways for increased supply of safe and nutritious foods in sufficient quantities is required now and in the future without undermining the environment. This should involve greater and innovative use of the many and diverse indigenous crops and their wild relatives. Sadly, very little is known and appreciated about these plant resources. In securing their genetic diversity, indigenous plants present great prospects for eradicating poverty, hunger and malnutrition, as well as create a more resilient system for agricultural production. This chapter highlights the need to secure genetic resources base of indigenous food plants; strategies for securing their genetic base including genetic vulnerability; recognition of their importance in the protection and conservation of traditional knowledge; building the needed capacity in teaching and research; policy implementation; as well as farming and trading. The chapter also presents ways to build on value chains including innovative ways to upgrade market chains as well as legal frameworks, policies and financial incentives. In conclusion, an expansion of the food system to include indigenous food plants offers opportunities for Nigeria to build a sustainable food system and create pathways to greater food system sustainability and resilience.

Global awareness of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has heightened the importance and role of food systems’ transformation in accelerating countries’ progress to achieve such goals in a timely manner. The agricultural and food systems’ transformation goal is to build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and diseases such as undernourishment and obesity. The objective of this study is to specify the agricultural and food systems’ factors that contribute to reducing the impacts of undernourishment and obesity in selected populous and high-income countries. This study used panel data from 2000 to 2020, applying fixed and random-effect econometrics models to conduct the analyses. Results indicated that the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), level of urbanization, and flood losses at food retail from a food systems perspective were the most influential factors in the prevalence of undernourishment. Meanwhile, the supply of fatty food was the significant nutrition variable affecting undernourishment. The cereal import dependency, per capita GDP, percentage of food imports from the value of food export, and value of domestic food production factors were the influential food system variables affecting the prevalence of obesity. Cereal import dependency and dietary energy supply are the significant factors affecting the prevalence of obesity. This study recommended a set of policy actions to address malnutrition, including sustainable and balanced food and nutrition systems’ transformation, food trade openness, and efforts to reduce adversary impacts of urbanization.

Region-specific nutritious, environmentally friendly, and affordable diets in India