Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in a Warming World

Climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss are placing unprecedented stress on global food systems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and soil degradation threaten food production and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to food. The urgency to feed a growing population—projected to reach 10 billion by 2050—demands a rethinking of how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), defined by the IUCN as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively,” offer a promising pathway. When integrated into food systems, NbS can simultaneously enhance ecosystem health, increase resilience to climate change, support livelihoods, and ensure food and nutrition security. Disruptions to ecosystem services due to climate change and human activity undermine food security. NbS in food systems seek to restore and protect these services while making agriculture and food production more resilient. This study explores the role of NbS in promoting sustainable food systems in the face of climate change. It assesses various NbS strategies across agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and examines their ecological, economic, and social benefits, as well as challenges to their adoption and scaling. One way forward is to create enabling environments and integrate NbS into national climate and food policies.