CCS Research Spotlight: Climate change, food insecurity, and conflict

The document outlines the systemic risks where agrifood-driven greenhouse gas emissions and climate-induced food insecurity intersect with geopolitical instability. It notes that the agrifood sector contributes one third of total GHG emissions and that food price inflation is spiking across low- and middle-income countries, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The text argues that climate change acts as a social crisis that intensifies inequality and threatens human security, calling for a systems-thinking approach to integrate climate and security policies.

• The agrifood sector is a major contributor to global warming, accounting for one third of all greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are primarily driven by livestock production, deforestation, food loss and waste, and the mismanagement of nutrients and soil.
• Food price inflation is severely affecting low- and middle-income nations, with inflation rates exceeding 5% in 83% of low-income countries, 90% of lower-middle-income countries, and 91% of upper-middle-income countries. This is driven by transport costs, supply chain bottlenecks, and other disruptions.
• The conflict in Ukraine is destabilizing global markets for energy, fertilizer, and grain because the war involves two nations that are major producers of staple cereals.
• Climate change functions as a social crisis that increases inequality and threatens human security. Food insecurity is notably more prevalent among women than men across all regions globally.

APA

The Council on Strategic Risks (n.d.). CCS Research Spotlight: Climate change, food insecurity, and conflict. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CCS-food-security-brochure.pdf

Chicago

The Council on Strategic Risks. CCS Research Spotlight: Climate change, food insecurity, and conflict. n.d. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CCS-food-security-brochure.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=The Council on Strategic Risks |title=CCS Research Spotlight: Climate change, food insecurity, and conflict |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CCS-food-security-brochure.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{thecouncilonstrategicrisksndccs, author = {{The Council on Strategic Risks}}, title = {{CCS Research Spotlight: Climate change, food insecurity, and conflict}}, institution = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CCS-food-security-brochure.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }