IMP-ACT: Supporting climate-resilient, inclusive and low-emission agrifood systems

Climate change is exerting growing pressure on global agrifood systems, posing significant threats to food security, livelihoods, and the natural resource base upon which they depend. To address these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts by providing technical expertise, policy support, and guidance on mobilizing climate finance. This work includes direct assistance to approximately 135 countries as they develop, implement, and fund their national climate plans, ensuring that vulnerable nations have the resources needed to adapt to a changing environment. A major advancement in this effort is the launch of the IMPACT project, a six-and-a-half-million-euro initiative supported by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. This project aims to scale up climate support by helping more countries strengthen the food and agriculture dimensions of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). Through a revamped Help Desk, the project reinforces the importance of agriculture in global climate negotiations and works to attract better-targeted climate finance via partnerships like FAST, ensuring that funding reaches the sectors most critical for sustainable development. The IMPACT project will initially provide tailored support to three specific countries: Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Peru. In these nations, the focus will be on identifying hotspots for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, building a robust evidence base for effective interventions, and supporting the planning, implementation, and financing of long-term agrifood climate solutions. By concentrating resources on these key areas, the project seeks to create actionable pathways that integrate climate resilience directly into local agricultural practices and economic strategies. Ultimately, IMPACT represents more than just an acronym; it serves as a comprehensive blueprint for delivering climate-resilient, inclusive, and low-emission agrifood systems worldwide. By combining financial resources with technical capacity building and strategic policy advocacy, the initiative aims to transform how agriculture responds to climate threats. This holistic approach ensures that food systems not only survive environmental shocks but also contribute to broader goals of poverty reduction, equity, and sustainable development for communities around the globe.