Foresight Studies

This page presents a database with key resources in the foresight world that indicate the diversity of themes, timescales, perspectives, and regional cover. This resource database includes large-scale studies, reports, and academic articles. From the top menu bar, you can filter your search by category. Click the “Read more” button to see the resource’s full citation, and a link to the full article or report.

Academic Articles

24 results
When too much isn’t enough: Does current food production meet global nutritional needs?
When too much isn’t enough: Does current food production meet global nutritional needs?
Date Published: June 2022
Foresight analysis of agricultural sector at regional level
Using prospective analysis in developing scenarios, this paper carries out a futures study on the agriculture sector in Spain for...
Date Published: June 2022
Building capability in food system analysis and interventions in Uganda
An update on a two-part IFSTAL training course held at Makerere University Bring together 26 individuals drawn from university students,...
Date Published: May 2022
Imagining transformative futures: participatory foresight for food systems change
Imagining transformative futures: participatory foresight for food systems change.
Date Published: March 2019
Global food systems: Can foresight learn from hindsight?
Global food systems: Can foresight learn from hindsight?
Date Published: March 2019
Food systems for sustainable development: proposals for a profound four-part transformation
Food systems for sustainable development: proposals for a profound four-part transformation
Date Published: March 2019
Foresight4Food – In Plain Language
Knowing what the future holds is never easy, and as often as not our predictions can turn out to be...
Date Published: December 2018
Towards a scenario “Agro-ecological land use for diversified and quality food and a localized food system” in Tunisia in 2050
Presenting scenarios for agro-ecological practices for Tunisia leading up to 2050
Date Published: November 2018
The state of foresight in food and agriculture: Challenges for impact and participation
The paper reviews and highlights issues related with stakeholder inclusion in foresight within food and agriculture. Usefully, it provides an...
Date Published: October 2018
The futures of genetically-modified foods: Global threat or panacea?
The paper reports on three scenarios around the future of genetically-modified foods
Date Published: October 2018
Scenario-based approach in dealing with climate change impacts in Central Tanzania
The paper demonstrates the value of including local knowledge in scenario planning
Date Published: October 2018
Food scenarios 2025: Drivers of change between global and regional
The paper reports on scenarios developed as part of a future study of the food sector
Date Published: October 2018
The future of the global food system
Date Published: September 2018

Foresight Reports

InstitutionYearTitleTags
Barrett et al.2021Foresight and trade-off analyses: Tools for science strategy development in agriculture and food systems researchOne CGIAR; agriculture; food systems
CGIAR 2021 Foresight and Metrics to Accelerate Inclusive and Sustainable Agrifood System Transformationfood systems; metrics
CGIAR 2021 On foresight and trade-off analysis for agriculture and food systemsISDC; food systems; tradeoffs
EIT Food2021 Foresight on the impact of COVID-19 COVID; South Europe; Central Europe
FAO2021 Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for allCOVID; malnutrition; healthy diets
CGIAR 2020 Foresight and Trade-off Implications for One CGIAR foresight; tradeoff; CGIAR
Deloitte2020A shock to the food system: Lessons for the food system from the COVID-19 pandemicfood system; scenarios; COVID-19
European Commission2020Report of the 5th SCAR Foresight exercise expert group – natural resources and food systems: transitions towards a ‘safe and just’ operating spacenatural resources; food systems; foresight; agroecology; Europe
Mora et al.2020Exploring the future of land use and food security: A new set of global scenariosland use; scenarios; food security
PROCISUR2020 Summary of the foresight study: The southern cone in a new era of technological development foresight; technology; Argentina; Paraguay; Brazil; Chile; Uruguay; megatrend; uncertainty; Southern Cone
EAT2019 The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Healthfood systems; obesity; boundaries
FAO2019 The future of food safety: there is no food security without food safetyfood security; food safety; Sustainable Development Goals; health; food production; nutrition
FAO2019 The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculturethe state; Agriculture; metrics
IFPRI2019 2019 Global food policy reportfood policy
Knorr and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)2019Future 50 Foods – 50 foods for healthier people and a healthier planetDiet; nutrition; future; climate change; food system; biodiversity; sustainability
Ozgul Calicioglu, Alessandro Flammini, Stefania Bracco, Lorenzo Bellù and Ralph Sims2019The future challenges of food and agriculture: an integrated analysis of trends and solutionsfood security; sustainable agriculture; future agrifood sector; climate impacts; foresight;
RAND2019Oversight of emerging science and technologytechnology; anticipatory; governance
Sainsburys2019Future of Food Alternative foods (cultured meat, jellyfish) ; technology; AI;
The Lancet 2019The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition, and Climate Change: The Lancet Commission reportHealth, Climate Change
UN2019World Economic Situation and ProspectsCOVID; inequality; recovery
Africa Growth Initiative2018Foresight Africa – Top Priorities for the Continent in 2018Foresight; Africa; prioritization
Berners-Lee2018Current global food production is sufficient to meet human nutritional needs in 2050 provided there is radical societal adaptationfuture, 2050
Chaudhry2018Can our global food system meet food demand within planetary boundaries?food systems, SDGs
CIRAD, INRA2018Land Use and Food Security in 2050: a Narrow Roadland use; scenarios; food security
Conijn2018Can our global food system meet food demand within planetary boundaries?food system, scenarios
DFID2018Agriculture Commercialisation Pathwaysagriculture; commercialization; technology
EMBRAPA2018Vision 2030: The Future of Brazilian Agricultureforesight, Brazil, agriculture
EU/DG for R&I2018Food 2030: Future-proofing our food systems through research and innovationfood systems, research
FAO2018Climate Action for Agriculture: Strengthening the Engagement of Agriculture Sectors to Implement the Climate Change Elements of the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacificclimate; agriculture; Asia; Pacific
FAO2018FAO’s work on agroecology – a pathway to achieve the SDGsagroecology; Sustainable Development Goals; agriculture; policies; investments; future impact
FAO2018Future Smart Food: Rediscovering Hidden Treasures of Neglected and Underutilized Species for Zero Hunger in AsiaTraditional foods; legumes; food consumption; diet; cultural factors; Asia;
FAO2018Report of online discussion (nov 17) on sustainable farming systems for food & nutrition securityagriculture; food systems
FAO2018Shaping the Future of Livestock (for 10th Global Forum on food and agriculture)future; livestock
FAO2018State of Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific Region, including Future Prospects and Emerging Issuesagriculture; Asia; Pacific; future
FAO2018The future of food and agriculture: Alternative pathways to 2050 foresight; agriculture; food systems
FAO2018The State of the World’s Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018: meeting the sustainable development goalsAquaculture; trade; consumption; Sustainable Development Goals; security; nutrition; ecosystem; climate change; pollution; technology; future foresight
FAO2018The state of the world’s forests 2018 – forest pathways to sustainable developmentSustainable Development Goals; biodiversity; nutrition; deforestation; land-use change; food security; agroforestry; stakeholder; hunger
FAO/SFE2018Food Security Update – A quarterly bulletin of FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africafood security; East Africa
FAO/UNEP2018Supporting the shift to sustainable food systems – Program SFSP as part of 10yr Sustainable Consumption & Production patternsfood systems; sustainabilty; consumption
FAO/WHO2018Proceeedings of International Symposium (Dec 16) on sustainable food systems for healthy diets & improved nutritionfood systems; nutrition; healthy diet
Global Alliance for the Future of Food2018On true cost accounting and the future of foodtrue cost; future; food systems
GLOPAN2018Improving diets in an era of food market transformation – policy brief (pp31)markets; healthy diets
Hebinck2018Imagining transformative futures: participatory foresight for food systems changeparticipatory foresight
House of Commons, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee2018 The future for food, farming and the environmentfood; farming; innovation; diversification
IAP2018Opportunities for future research and innovation on food and nutrition security and agriculturefood security; nutrition; innovation
IFPRI20182018 Global food policy reportfood policy; global
IFPRI2018Food policy indicators: Tracking change: International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT)food policy; IMPACT; metrics
IIASA2018 Transformations to achieve the SDGSSDGs; food systems
ISPC2018 Agriculture and Food Systems to 2050foresight; agriculture; food systems
KC2018 When too much isn’t enough: Does current food production meet global nutritional needs?diet, livestock, agriculture
Reardon2018 Rapid transformation of food systems in developing the role of agricultural research & innovations food systems; agriculture; innovation
Ritchie2018 Beyond Calories: A Holistic Assessment of the Global Food Systemfood system
Springmann & Clark2018 Options for keeping the food system within environmental limitsfood systems; boundaries; nutrition; environment
TEEB2018 Measuring what matters in agriculture and food systemsagriculture; food systems; metrics
TempAg2018 Research shaping policies for sustainable agricultural food systems in temperate regionsfood systems, policy, agriculture, foresight
The Cooperative2018The future of food – a recipe for sustainability sustainability; food; sustainability
U of Leeds2018 A Good Life For All Within Planetary BoundariesVisualizer, Tool
WEF2018 Future Shocks: 10 emerging risks that threaten our world future shocks; world; metrics
WEF2018 Innovation with a Purpose: The role of technology innovation in accelerating food systems transformation innovation; food systems
WEF2018 Readiness for the Future of Production Report 2018emerging technology; future; readiness
WEF2018 The Global Risks Report 2018environmental degradation; cybersecurity breaches; economic strains; geopolitical tensions.
WRI2018 Creating a sustainable food futurefood systems; future
WRI2018 Creating a sustainable food future – a menu of solutions to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050 scenarios; food system; GHGs
WUR2018 The food systems approach: sustainable solutions for a sufficient supply of healthy foodfood systems; healthy food
Action Against Hunger2017An Outlook on Hunger: A Scenario Analysis on the Drivers of Hunger Through 2030an outlook; Through 2030; metrics
Brooks2017 Global food systems: Can foresight learn from hindsight?foresight
CFS + HLPE2017 Nutrition and food systems. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Securitynutrition and; Security.; metrics
CGIAR 2017 A4NH 2016 Annual Report (Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition & Health)a4nh; Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition & Health); metrics
CIRAD, GFAR2017 The state of foresight in food and agriculture: Challenges for impact and participation the state; participation; metrics
EU/EEA2017Food in a green light: A systems approach to sustainable foodfood in; food; metrics
European Parliament2017Briefing – Foresight – Contribution to the debate on on the future of EU agricultural policybriefing – foresight; policy; metrics
European Political Strategy Centre2017Strategic Foresight Primerstrategic foresight; Primer; metrics
FAO2017CLIMATE ACTION FOR AGRICULTURE Strengthening the role of scientific foresight and climatesmart agriculture in addressing NDC prioritiesclimate action; priorities; metrics
FAO2017State of Food and Agriculturestate of; Agriculture; metrics
FAO2017The future of food and agriculture Trends and challengesthe future; challenges; metrics
FAO & OECD2017OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2018-2027oecd-fao; Outlook 2018-2027; metrics
FAO/WHO2017Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets in Europe and Central Asiasustainable food; Asia; metrics
Forum for the Future2017The future of protein – the protein challenge 2040: shaping the future of food protein; scenarios; innovation; 2040
GFS2017Horizon Scanning Report: Game changing developments in the context of food security and future research priorities horizon scanning; priorities; metrics
Global Alliance for the Future of Food2017The future of food in a climate changing worldthe future; world; metrics
Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI)2017Innovating the future of food systems – a global scan for the innovations needed to transform food systems in emerging markets by 2035Innovation; technology; AI; food systems; stakeholders; supply chain;
GLOPAN2017Improving Nutrition through enhanced food environmentsfood environments; nutrition
Government Office for Science2017 The Futures Toolkit: Tools for Futures Thinking and Foresight Across UK Governmentforesight; futures thinking; UK Government
IFPRI2017A thriving agricultural sector in a changing climate: Meeting Malabo Declaration goals through climate-smart agriculturea thriving; agriculture; metrics
IFPRI2017Fish to 2050 in the ASEAN Regionfish to; Region; metrics
IFPRI2017Nourished: How Africa can build a future free from hunger & malnutritionnourished: how; malnutrition; metrics
IFPRI2017Quantitative Foresight Modelling to inform CGIAR research portfolioquantitative foresight; portfolio; metrics
IFPRI2017West African Agriculture for Jobs, Nutrition, Growth and Climate Resiliencewest african; Resilience; metrics
IIASA, SDSN, SRC2017The World in 2050the world; in 2050; metrics
IIED2017Everyday Experts: How people’s knowledge can transform the food systemfood systems, knowledge
Institute for the Future2017Food Innovation: Recipes for the Next Decadefood innovation; Decade; metrics
IPES Food2017Too big to feedtoo big; feed; metrics
iPES Food + Global Alliance for the Future of Food2017Unravelling the Food-Health Nexus: Addressing Practices, Processes, Political Economy, and Power Relations to Build Healthier Food Systemsfood systems, nexus
Myers2017Climate Change and Global Food Systems: Potential Impacts on Food Security and Undernutritionfood systems, climate change
Nordic Council of Ministers2017Future Nordic Dietsfuture nordic; Diets; metrics
RAND2017Scenario techniques for energy and environmental research: An overview of recent developments to broaden the capacity to deal with complexity and uncertaintyMethodology, Scenarios
RAND2017Testing the scenario hypothesis: An experimental comparison of scenarios and forecasts for decision support in a complex decision environmentMethodology, Scenarios
Salmon, K., Pinder, S., Walsh, P., Omdorff, M., Milton, E., Trescott, J. 2017The future of food – new realities for the industrytechnology; urban agriculture; lab-grown meat; production; vertical farming
TempAg2017TempAg Foresight Workshop Reporttempag foresight; Report; metrics
WEF2017Feeding the world Infographic food;
WEF2017Shaping the Future of Global Food Systems: A Scenarios Analysisscenarios; food systems; agriculture; food security; sustainability
World Bank Group2017An overview of the links between obesity and food systems: Implications for the Agriculture GP Agendaan overview; Agenda; metrics
Food Standards Agency2016Our food futurefood system; scenarios; consumption
Global Alliance for the Future of Food2016The future of food: seeds of resilience – a compendium of perspectives on agricultural biodiversity from around the world agrobiodiversity; seeds; diversity
Sustainable Food Trust2016The future of food and agriculture – quantifying the social and environmental benefits and costs of different production systemsdairy; future; environment;
IFPRI2015Global Nutrition Report 2015: Actions and accountability to advance nutrition and sustainable developmentfood systems, nutrition
Macdonald2015Rethinking Agricultural Trade Relationships in an Era of Globalizationrethinking agricultural; Globalization; metrics
WRAP and 3KEEL2015Food futures – from business as usual to business unusualfood system; risk; futures; alternative foods;
FAO2014Horizon scanning and foresight: an overview of approaches and possible applications in food safetyForesight; food safety; risk; food chain; food trade; technology;
Government Office for Science and Foresight2014 Foresight and African agriculture: innovations and policy opportunitiesAfrica; climate change; foresight; water; land use
Rosin2012Food systems failure: The global food crisis and the future of agriculturefood systems
University of Cambridge and Centre for Industry and Government2010Future scenarios for the UK food and drink industry scenarios; foresight; industry
Ericksen2008Conceptualizing food systems for global environmental change researchfood systems
Compact2025Compact2025Initiative
IFPRIGlobal Futures and Strategic Foresightinitiative