Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Systemic innovation for sustainable agri-food systems: A comparative mapping of international organisations

¹Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Science Management, Germany
²Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Germany

Abstract

Innovation is widely presented as a key lever for transforming agri-food systems amid climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Yet the term is often used inconsistently, frequently reduced to technological solutions. This paper examines how major international organisations frame innovation for agri-food systems transformation and its implications for multi-functional, climate-resilient agro-ecosystems that enhance nutrition, resilience, and livelihoods across all world regions. The analysis draws on a comparative mapping from the Leibniz Lab Systemic Sustainability (LL SYSTAIN), covering 27 recent reports by FAO, CGIAR, IFAD, IPBES, IPCC, OECD, UNEP, UNDP, UNFSS, WHO, WFP, World Bank, and World Ocean Assessment. It compares innovation definitions, systems thinking application, emphasised types and clusters, and links to sustainability goals and pathways.
Results reveal broad convergence: organisations share a systemic view of transformation needs and innovation systems. Innovations are not just seen as isolated technical fixes, but as multi-dimensional processes embedded in complex socio-ecological systems, involving technological, social, financial, governance, and policy changes. Key clusters identified include dietary shifts, alternative foods and feeds, cross-sector policy coherence, financial tools, precision and digital agri- and aquaculture, diversified production systems, and circularity. However, production-oriented and technological innovations are often more visible than social, behavioural or policy innovation, whileDemand-side change, including diets and food environments, also receives less attention than would be needed for food system transformation. Also, blue foods remain underrepresented, despite their importance for food and nutrition security and their connection to land-based systems.
This Innovation Mapping provides a structured basis for understanding how international organisations understand and frame innovations for agri-food system transformation, where they converge and where gaps remain. It contributes to current debates on how food systems can be transformed beyond isolated technical fixes and toward systemic sustainability. This is crucial for our future as sustainable agri-food systems are linked to international goals on food security, climate, biodiversity, health, livelihoods, equity and economic development.

Keywords: Agri-food systems, climate resilience, food systems transformation, innovation mapping, international organisations, systemic innovation, systemic sustainability, systems thinking, transformation pathways

Contact Address: Sophia Lüttringhaus, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Science Management, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany, e-mail: sluettringhausatb-potsdam.de