Climate change

The effects of climate change on food safety, animal and plant health risks is a relatively new area of study. However, the evidence from recent studies is clear, climate change is one of several global change factors that are contributing to increased and new food safety, animal and plant risks.

Exploring the impact of climate change on the global food system - 2022

During Climate Change Week at the STDF, a series of four inter-connected webinars brought together partners and stakeholders on the ground to explore the impact of climate change on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, and identify opportunities to respond to emerging risks and facilitate safe trade.

Experts looked at a different climate change-related SPS topic on each day, from 3 to 6 May 2022, from 14:00-15:00 CET:

All webinars were held in English, with interpretation provided in French and Spanish.

For more information on each session, including speakers and topic angles, visit the webinar webpage. An overview of climate change-related work by the STDF and its partners is available HERE.

Climate change, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and agricultural trade

Climate change poses significant challenges for the agricultural production and the international agricultural trade. Climate change impacts on pests and diseases of plants and animals, as well as food-borne pathogens and jeopardizes the safe trade. The STDF has contributed to this background paper by FAO for the State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2018. The paper sets out the linkages between climate change, agricultural trade and SPS measures and key recommendations on how to overcome the SPS threats posed by climate change. 

Publication on climate change and trade: the link to sanitary and phytosanitary standards

This paper seeks to raise awareness about issues related to SPS risks and standards in the context of agri-food trade and climate change. It analyses the scientific understanding of the relationship between climate change, food safety, plant pests, animal diseases and trade, and it identifies and discusses four key areas for future policy consideration, notably risk assessment, SPS capacity in developing countries, climate change resilience and basic research challenges.

Briefing on climate change and trade

The STDF Briefing summarizes the main discussions and conclusions emerging from the STDF World Bank Seminar on Climate Change and Agriculture Trade held in 2009.

STDF and World Bank seminar on climate change and agriculture trade: risks and responses - 2009

Climate change and SPS risks were on the agenda at an STDF / World Bank seminar attended by some 100 representatives from international organizations, regulatory and development agencies, research, academia and the private sector in Washington, D.C. on 22-23 September 2009.

The workshop sought to increase awareness about the implications of climate change for SPS risks and what is needed to address the challenges faced. The specific objectives were to:

  • present new research on the relationship between climate change and global trade flows, as well as the implications for food safety, animal and plant health;
  • identify SPS-related challenges posed by climate change; and
  • discuss the implications and priorities for SPS capacity-building

Click here to see the programme and the presentations delivered.