New report highlights urgent need for cross-sector action amid rising climate, health, and geopolitical risks
KPMG International has called on governments, corporations, and investors across all sectors to make food system resilience a core strategic priority, warning that inaction could lead to systemic failures, deepen inequality, and accelerate biodiversity loss.
In its latest report titled ‘Reimagining Global Food System Resilience’, the consultancy highlights the escalating risks posed by climate change, health crises, and geopolitical instability, and the critical need for businesses to reassess their roles in supporting sustainable, secure, and inclusive food systems.
“Food system resilience is no longer just a policy issue or a CSR goal. It’s a strategic business imperative,” the report states.
A System Under Stress
The report paints a stark picture of the current global food ecosystem. Over 820 million people remain undernourished while 30% of all food produced — about 1.3 billion tonnes — is wasted every year. Meanwhile, agriculture remains one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation, accounting for 80% of deforestation, 70% of freshwater withdrawals, and a third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Compounding the issue, 50% of the global population now faces chronic or seasonal water scarcity — a situation only expected to worsen as climate pressures intensify.
Business, Not as Usual
KPMG’s report features insights from over 200 global leaders across industries such as energy, finance, infrastructure, health, and food. More than 70% of respondents ranked climate adaptation and resilience as critical to the future of food systems.
Anish De, Global Head of Energy, Natural Resources and Chemicals at KPMG International, noted, “The boundary between food and energy systems is vanishing. Decarbonisation and energy security decisions are increasingly impacting food affordability, availability, and sustainability. Integrated planning — not siloed approaches — is now the need of the hour.”
The Finance Gap
Despite sustainable investments projected to reach $53 trillion globally by 2025, the report flagged the unequal distribution of capital. Most climate-focused funding remains geographically concentrated and largely inaccessible to smallholder farmers and marginalized communities — the very stakeholders who bear the brunt of climate shocks and market volatility.
Apurba Mitra, Partner and ESG & Climate Change Lead at KPMG in India, emphasized the need for equity in climate solutions: “Discussions on sustainable food systems often leave out the most vulnerable. We must place food equity at the heart of ESG strategy, integrating it with emissions reduction and efficiency goals.”
Roadmap for Resilience
The report outlines 10 strategic levers for building a resilient and sustainable global food system. These include:
· Smarter land use and regenerative agriculture
· AI-driven supply chain optimization
· Innovations in water management
· Circular food economy models
· Sustainability-linked financing and biodiversity credits
· Data-led transparency across value chains
· Inclusive policy frameworks and global cooperation
KPMG also introduced a cross-sector roadmap covering areas such as climate adaptation, financial innovation, and digital infrastructure. The report highlights real-world examples of transformation — from low-carbon fertilizers to technology-enabled traceability and sustainability-linked loans.
A Call to Action
KPMG is urging businesses — regardless of whether they operate directly in the agri-food sector — to identify how their operations intersect with food systems and assess their potential to drive change.
“Food system resilience is a shared responsibility,” the report concludes. “Business leaders must reassess their impact and actively shape a future where food systems are sustainable, inclusive, and secure for all.”
The message is clear: food security, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity are deeply intertwined, and resilient food systems must become a boardroom priority, not just a policy agenda.