Integrating Food Security into Impact Assessment

Food security is a critical global issue, yet it is often overlooked in impact assessments (IA). This primer provides guidance on integrating food security considerations into IA processes, ensuring that development projects do not compromise access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. The resource explores the key dimensions of food security — availability, access, utilization, and stability — and highlights their relevance within various IA frameworks, including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Health Impact Assessment (HIA), and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). It also offers practical recommendations for incorporating food security into IA, particularly in scoping, impact prediction, and mitigation stages.

Developed by experts in the field and supported by the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), this primer serves as a vital tool for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working to enhance sustainability and social well-being through more comprehensive impact assessments.

Just starting out and want to build your understanding of food security? Section 1 provides an overview of food systems, the importance of food security and special considerations for food security in developing countries.

Want to learn more about how food security currently fits into IA? Section 2 provides an overview of food security in IA discourse, including Health Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Seeking guidance on how to incorporate food security in the standard stages of IA? Section 3 provides practical suggestions about how to integrate food security in scoping, impact assessment, mitigation, and follow-up.

Want to help progress research and practice in this area? Section 4 outlines next steps for members of the IA research and practice community and Section 5 lists a number of key resources to help advance your learning.

Only have five minutes to understand the key issues in addressing food security in IA? Check out the IAIA FasTips “Food Security in Impact Assessment” and come back to explore this primer when you have more time.