Food for cities, what roles for local governments in the Global South?
Find out about numerous examples of cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America that are taking action to ensure food security for their populations and make their food systems more sustainable.
Food for cities, what roles for local governments in the Global South?
A collaborative work between the UNESCO Chair in World Food Systems and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) , this book draws on a wealth of concrete examples to illustrate what cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America have been doing in recent years to secure and sustainably transform their populations’ food systems.
Addressed to policymakers, local authority officials, and international cooperation stakeholders, it explores how cities, as emerging actors in food policy are developing innovative strategies to ensure food security and sustainability. It examines both long-standing urban food governance practices and the new wave of local initiatives reshaping food systems from the ground up.
Against a backdrop of rising prices, health crises, and growing environmental pressures, cities account for two-thirds of global energy consumption and 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, an increasing number of local governments are placing food at the heart of their urban policies. While cities in the Global North focus on reconnecting citizens with healthier and more responsible food practices, those in the Global South prioritize food security, supply chain modernization, and stronger links between local production and urban markets.