About the project
Cities play a vital role in transforming our food systems. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and by 2050, this is expected to rise to 70%. Cities are uniquely positioned to shape the future of food systems and offer comprehensive solutions to improve people’s quality of life, the health of the planet, and economic prosperity.
The Transforming Urban-Rural Food Systems Consortium aims to empower cities to reshape the way we produce and consume food in urban and rural areas. Prioritising health, sustainability, resilience, and fairness, the consortium seeks to help cities lead a global shift in our food systems.
By collaborating with cities and their surrounding rural areas, the consortium will share and implement best practices and innovative solutions to change food systems at local, national, and international scales.
The consortium is a joint C40 initiative in partnership with independent civil society organisations CARE, the Club of Rome, C40, EAT, GAIN, ICCCAD and WWF.
Project activities
With support from the Laudes Foundation, the Transforming Urban-Rural Food Systems Consortium has developed a flexible strategy to help cities positively change how food systems in urban and rural areas are managed.
The consortium aims to support cities in the following ways:
- Ensure that their decision-making is based on the best available evidence and science-based goals.
- Promote an environment for sustainable food production and consumption.
- Increase public support for healthy and sustainable food choices through campaigns and efforts.
- Encourage businesses to invest in healthier and more sustainable food consumption patterns, including reducing food waste.
- Ensure food security during disasters through early warning systems and risk management.
- Lead other cities within their countries and influence national governments and international bodies to promote a healthy, sustainable, and equitable transformation of food systems.
Download the strategy for food systems change and the Theory of Change infographic to learn more.
