Global Perspectives Studies

Methodologies

Since 2013, the FAO Global Perspective Studies Team has included scenario analysis as part of its methodology to carry out foresight studies on the long-term future of food and agriculture.

After scrutinizing trends affecting food and agricultural systems, alternative scenario narratives that highlight potential challenges facing food agriculture are prepared. Combined qualitative assessments and findings from various quantitative models allow highlighting possible future pathways of food and agricultural systems and strategic options to move them towards social, economic and environmental sustainability.

This methodological framework is depicted in the flowchart below.

Quantitative models used by FAO Global Agriculture Perspectives System (GAPS) are outlined in the poster The future of food and agriculture: Quantitative modelling framework.