Building the capacity of actors across the food and agricultural system senhances the collective ability to transition towards a sustainable, equitable and biodiverse future.
IUCN’s Theory of Change for food and agricultural systems has at its heart four catalytic roles, one of which is Knowledge, science & data – the development and dissemination of knowledge products, tools, and data to assist stakeholders in transitioning to sustainable food and agricultural systems. In addition to face-to-face events at major conferences and the World Conservation Congress, IUCN is launching a series of online courses through the IUCN Academy.
The first of these, “An Introduction to Conservation and Agriculture”, explores how agricultural practices impact biodiversity, water resources, and climate change while also highlighting solutions that promote sustainable food production without compromising nature. Participants who complete the course will gain an understanding of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of conventional agriculture and recognise the various approaches and practices that contribute to sustainable agriculture. They will analyse the role of conservation in agriculture and evaluate the principles of protection, sustainable management, and restoration of agricultural landscapes, learning about the key IUCN frameworks and tools that can be used to support the transition toward sustainability. By the end of the course they will understand the enabling conditions necessary for an agroecological transition, such as policy frameworks, economic incentives, knowledge-sharing networks, and institutional support.
Further courses are in development to deepen the understanding of those who complete the introductory course.
