In the battle of ideas over the future of food systems, three concepts, ‘agroecology’, ‘nature-based solutions’, and ‘regenerative agriculture’, are competing for attention. In this briefing note, IPES-Food unpacks the use of these three concepts in international food, climate and biodiversity summits. We find that while ‘nature-based solutions’ is gaining traction, it lacks definition or a transformative vision. By contrast ‘agroecology’ was less recognized, but offers a more comprehensive pathway towards food system sustainability.