In support of the SDG 7 review at HLPF 2026, FAO spotlights energy and agrifood systems interlinkages

As preparations advance for the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is playing a central role in supporting the global review of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 on affordable and clean energy. FAO’s engagement reflects the growing recognition that energy systems and agrifood systems are deeply interconnected, and that progress on SDG 7 is essential for achieving food security, climate action and biodiversity goals.

Evidence on SDG interlinkages to inform the HLPF

FAO provided substantial contributions to two new inter-agency policy briefs developed for the HLPF that examine the systemic interlinkages between energy and other SDGs of high relevance to agrifood systems.

The first brief, Interlinkages between Energy and Zero Hunger: SDG 7 and SDG 2, highlights how access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy underpins every stage of agrifood value chains, from irrigation and mechanization to food processing, storage and transport. It also shows how clean energy solutions can improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, lower emissions and enhance resilience for smallholders, pastoralists and rural communities.

The second brief, Energy and Life on Land: SDG 7 and SDG 15 Interlinkages, explores how energy choices shape land use, ecosystems and biodiversity outcomes. It underscores the importance of aligning renewable energy deployment with sustainable land management to avoid trade-offs, while identifying opportunities for bioenergy, solar and decentralized solutions that support ecosystem restoration and rural livelihoods.

Together, these briefs provide an integrated evidence base to support Members in framing SDG 7 discussions at the HLPF through an agrifood systems lens.

Advancing policy dialogue on renewable energy for agrifood systems

Beyond this analytical work, FAO is building political momentum to accelerate renewable energy uptake in agrifood systems. In January 2026, FAO and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) convened the first ministerial dialogue on renewable energy for agrifood systems, a milestone towards more integrated action linking food security, climate resilience and the global energy transition.

Opening the dialogue, FAO Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, underscored that agrifood systems account for around 30 percent of global energy use and more than one-third of energy-related emissions. He stressed that decarbonization pathways will not succeed unless they prioritize agrifood systems that are more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

Discussions highlighted key priorities, including placing clean energy in the hands of farmers, strengthening partnerships to advance climate action and food security, and closing the financing gap for climate and agrifood systems solutions. The importance of closer alignment between energy planning and agricultural policy was also highlighted to unlock scalable, inclusive, and cost-effective solutions on the ground.

The ministerial dialogue concluded with a shared recognition that accelerating climate action, advancing food security and achieving sustainable development depend on coherent, mutually reinforcing investments. Scaling up renewable energy in agrifood systems emerged as one of the most significant untapped opportunities, capable of delivering multiple benefits across sectors. Realizing this potential, however, will require sustained investment, coordinated global action and a just transition that fully includes farmers and rural communities.

The road to HLPF 2026

FAO’s technical expertise will further feed into the Expert Group Meeting on SDG 7, scheduled for 25 to 26 March 2026 in Geneva. The meeting will support the thematic review of SDG 7 at the HLPF by identifying priority policy messages, good practices and cross-sectoral solutions. FAO’s inputs will draw on its normative work and country-level experience to highlight how integrated energy and agrifood strategies can accelerate progress across multiple SDGs.

Read more about FAO's participation in the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review processes at global, regional, national and local levels here.