Food System Vulnerability to Climate Change: Policies, Barriers & Opportunities in UK & Europe

Abstract Background Climate change will increasingly affect global food systems. The UK has a complex food system with long supply chains, reliant on imports from climate-vulnerable regions and facing its own environmental pressures. Understanding current policy responses is essential to identify vulnerabilities and their implications for food and nutrition security. This study aims to examine UK and European food system policy responses to climate change and interview UK stakeholders to identify policy gaps and barriers. Methods A scoping review of national food strategies (NFS) and climate change risk assessments (CCRAs) from the UK and WHO EURO region (translated to English) was conducted to map and compare food system climate responses. Semi-structured interviews with UK policy-makers and stakeholders were also undertaken to identify barriers and levers for implementing food system policies. Participants were recruited via national networks. Interviews explored themes of policy responses, barriers, collaboration, evidence needs, and inequalities. Data were analysed using the Framework Method. Ethical approval was obtained from the LSHTM Ethics Committee. Results In this review, 89 NFS and 42 CCRAs were reviewed. Over half of NFS addressed climate risks, with most focusing on food production and agriculture. Across NFS and CCRAs, the key health outcomes of which policies addressed focused on food security and reducing food-borne disease. 22 stakeholder interviews revealed barriers such as knowledge gaps, funding, system complexity, limited collaboration, and conflicting priorities. Conclusions The UK food system is vulnerable to future climate risks. While some policy responses exist, stakeholder insights highlight persistent barriers that hinder progress and future innovation to ensure the food system is resilient, equitable, healthy and sustainable. Key messages • UK and European food policies address climate risks, but focus mainly on agriculture and food production. • Key food system policy barriers are funding, complexity, and poor coordination in climate response.