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According to the World Bank's most recent report on climate and development, "addressing food insecurity and energy poverty is essential for achieving global stability, but tackling these issues independently is no longer sufficient."

Agriculture's reliance on fossil fuels makes it vulnerable

Agriculture uses nearly 70% of global freshwater resources and accounts for more than 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Its dependence on fossil fuels for mechanization, irrigation, fertilizer production, and transportation has resulted in an unsustainable cycle of environmental degradation, and also exposes food systems to energy price fluctuations, threatening global stability. 

Increasing temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have disrupted agricultural output, nearly 11.8% of the global population experienced severe food insecurity between 2020 and 2023, and the number is expected to rise to 956 million by 2028.

 Agriculture's dependence on fossil fuels increases its vulnerability. Natural gas, which is critical for fertilizer production, serves as both a feedstock and an energy source, with 80% used for ammonia synthesis and 20% to power the process. The volatility in natural gas prices has a direct impact on fertilizer costs and global food prices. 

Renewable energy can reduce agriculture dependency on fossil fuels

Renewable energy investments exceeded $500 billion in 2022, but fossil fuel consumption remains high due to short-term economic and geopolitical pressures. 

Countries such as the United States, Brazil, and Guyana continue to increase oil and gas production while prioritizing exports and domestic energy security. This continued dependence on carbon-intensive energy strengthens the vulnerability of global food systems, especially in areas with limited access to reliable energy.

Challenge 

Low-income countries account for a small proportion of global energy demand, but they are disproportionately affected by supply disruptions. Extreme weather events frequently damage energy infrastructure in areas where power grids are already unstable.

Renewable energy provides a ray of hope, but its deployment is uneven. In 2022, high-income countries installed 83% of new renewable capacity, while low-income countries continued to depend on outdated, carbon-intensive systems. 

Solar-powered irrigation and biomass energy solutions have the potential to transform agriculture, but their implementation is hampered by high costs and inadequate infrastructure. The transition risks excluding those who require it the most. 

What is the financial cost of addressing global food and energy insecurity?

Addressing food and energy insecurity has significant financial costs, but they are manageable. According to the World Food Security Outlook:

• Meeting the most vulnerable populations' basic caloric needs will cost $90 billion per year until 2030. 
• Fighting malnutrition among women and children will cost an additional $11 billion per year. 
• Transforming global food systems could cost $300 billion to $400 billion per year, or 0.5% of global GDP. However, for low-income countries, these costs can exceed 95% of GDP, making the financial burden unbearable.

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Source: 

The Hindu