This project explored the increasing pressures on the global food system between now and 2050. It highlights the decisions that policy makers need to take today, and in the years ahead, to ensure that a global population rising to 9 billion or more can be fed in a fair and sustainable way.

The project focused on 5 challenges for the future:

balancing future demand and supply sustainably - to ensure that food supplies are affordable

ensuring that there is stability in food prices - and protecting the most vulnerable from the volatility that does occur

achieving global access to food and ending hunger - recognising that producing enough food in the world so that everyone can potentially be fed is not the same thing as ensuring food security for all

managing the contribution of the food system to the mitigation of climate change

maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems while feeding the world

The project involved around 400 leading experts and stakeholders from about 35 countries across the world. It was overseen by a high level stakeholder group and lead expert group to make sure it included the most relevant evidence and its findings were of a high scientific standard.

Over 100 peer-reviewed evidence papers were commissioned to inform the analysis.

The project was sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Department for International Development (DFID).