Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change 2025

1 Develop climate-resilient and nutrient-dense crops Advances in technology such as breeding, hybridization and genome editing have enabled the development of crops and livestock that withstand climate stressors such as heat, drought and flooding, boosting yields. Syngenta, for example, invests $1.4 billion annually in research and development (R&D), with drought tolerance representing a key focus.28 Syngenta’s Agrisure Artesian corn hybrids deliver yield gains of 12% under severe and extreme drought.29 New techniques for agricultural resilience and food security BOX 2 Agrobiomics is developing products to boost agricultural yields in land affected by salinity, drought or heat stress using biological solutions. Their bio-stimulant solution induces resilience in crops against drought and salinity stress, resulting in an average 35% increase in yield for rice under saline stress and 10% increase for soybeans under moderate drought when applied as seed coating. While climate change is accelerating the loss of arable lands globally, this solution can help ensure food security and nutrition while also contributing to soil regeneration. 2 Scale alternative calorie production methods As climate change strains traditional agriculture, alternative food production methods become more competitive. Vertical farming, insect protein and lab-grown meats offer climate-resilient solutions that use less land and water in controlled environments. In the UK, for example, vertical farming of strawberries yields five times more fruit per square metre than traditional forms of farming, uses 50% less water and cuts carbon emissions by 90% per kilogram.30 3 Replace non-native crops and livestock Shifting to native crops better suited to forecasted weather patterns can improve nutrition and climate resilience. Many of these crops are drought-resistant and require fewer inputs because they are naturally adapted to local soil and climate conditions. Farmers in Kenya transitioning from conventional to indigenous vegetables experienced a net gain of $4,000 per acre – an increase of 335%.31 Using better-adapted livestock breeds and species can also be more climate-resilient. These “heritage varieties” are also often more nutrient-dense, helping combat malnutrition while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient food system. 4 Manage farm waste and runoff Improperly managed agricultural waste and runoff can degrade soil, pollute waterways and spread disease. Implementing buffer zones and practices such as composting can help protect public health and ecosystems. Converting waste into biogas is a high-impact solution. Rather than sending manure to landfills, farmers can use anaerobic digesters to generate renewable energy and reduce emissions, creating additional revenue as well as health and carbon mitigation co-benefits. Smithfield Foods and Dominion Energy, for example, are investing $500 million to scale biogas systems on US hog farms. The initiative simplifies manure management, provides farmers with new income and is expected to cut emissions by 2.5 million tons annually.32 5 Optimize food processing and storage Advances in food processing and storage – including improved cold-chain logistics, solar- powered refrigeration and smart sensors – can enhance food safety, reduce waste and boost access to fresh, uncontaminated food. Nigeria’s ColdHubs start-up installs solar-powered walk-in cold rooms in markets and farms, extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables from 2 days to 21 days and cutting post-harvest losses by 80%.33 6 Develop and produce nutrient-dense foods To combat malnutrition, food processors can enhance the nutrient density of foods by using more nutrient-dense inputs or fortifying products. As an example, Nigerian food companies and farmers have embraced vitamin A-enriched cassava (a biofortified staple), with more than one million farming households growing the biofortified cassava five years after it was introduced. Biofortified cassava is highly profitable, with farmers who are growing or using the enriched product seeing profits of 79-190%.34 7 Encourage consumer behaviour change Driving all consumers to make healthier food choices (e.g. by promoting more seasonal, climate-resilient and locally sourced food) should be a priority for the sector. This enhances nutrition security for the consumer and creates resilience against wider supply shocks for food businesses. Farmers in Kenya transitioning from conventional to indigenous vegetables experienced a net gain of $4,000 per acre – an increase of 335%. Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change 19