A powerful new report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) has laid bare the extensive and often hidden role of fossil fuels in every stage of the modern food supply chain—from farm to table. Titled “Fuel to Fork: What Will It Take to Get Fossil Fuels Out of Our Food Systems?”, the report reveals that the global food system is not just a victim of climate change, but also a major contributor, responsible for roughly 15% of all fossil fuel use worldwide.
The study, released in July 2025, warns that global food chains are dangerously dependent on fossil fuels, not only for farm operations but also for the production of agrochemicals, packaging, transportation, and food processing. The consequences, IPES-Food says, are vast: from greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss to rising food prices and growing corporate control of agriculture.
Fossil fuel reliance is “baked into” every bite
According to the report, modern food systems rely heavily on fossil fuels at every step:
- 99% of all synthetic fertilizers and the vast majority of pesticides are made using fossil fuels, especially nitrogen fertilizers, which are extremely energy-intensive.
- One-third of global petrochemical production is used in food and agriculture, primarily for fertilizers and pesticides.
- Fossil fuels also power food manufacturing, packaging, refrigeration, and long-haul transport systems. Plastic packaging, made from petroleum-based products, is particularly energy-intensive.
- Agricultural mechanization, irrigation, and drying of crops depend on fossil-derived energy.
These dependencies, the report argues, not only damage the environment but also create economic vulnerability by tying food prices to volatile oil markets, evident during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.
Health and ecological damage
Beyond climate impacts, the report highlights alarming health and ecological consequences. Pesticide poisoning affects an estimated 385 million people each year globally. Meanwhile, the extensive use of agrochemicals is identified as a key driver of soil degradation, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss, including pollinator decline.
The report also draws attention to the disproportionate exposure of frontline agricultural workers—especially in the Global South—to chemical hazards linked to fossil fuel-based products.
Big oil’s growing interest in food
The report notes that as the world shifts away from fossil fuels in energy and transport, major oil and gas companies are doubling down on their investments in the food and agricultural sectors. With governments pledging to phase out fossil fuels in other sectors, the fossil agribusiness pathway is increasingly viewed by oil companies as a fallback for future profits.
Fertilizer production, pesticide manufacturing, and plastic packaging have become major avenues for fossil fuel expansion, often supported by government subsidies and public funding.
For instance, in 2024 alone:
- Fossil fuel subsidies reached US$2 trillion, while
- Government support for chemical-intensive agriculture stood at US$540 billion.
- Financial institutions poured US$869 billion into fossil fuel investments, many of which directly impact food systems.
Agroecology offers a way out
Despite the grim data, IPES-Food insists that a fossil-free future for food is not only possible but already underway in some parts of the world. The report showcases agroecological practices and Indigenous food systems as viable, proven alternatives that can deliver food security, resilience, and sustainability without relying on fossil fuels.
Agroecology emphasizes local seed systems, diverse cropping, low external inputs, and knowledge-sharing between farmers. These systems are already practiced widely by smallholder farmers and communities around the world, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Georgina Catacora-Vargas, a co-author of the report, stated, “Fossil fuel-free food systems are not only possible, they already exist. These systems prioritize local resilience, human health, and ecological balance.”
The call to action
With the upcoming COP30 climate summit scheduled to be held in Brazil in 2025, IPES-Food is urging world leaders and policymakers to:
- Commit to a clear roadmap for phasing fossil fuels out of food systems.
- End subsidies for fossil fuels and chemical-intensive agriculture.
- Redirect funding to agroecology and regenerative practices.
- Support farmer-led innovation, local food systems, and democratic food governance.
- Reject “false solutions” like digital agriculture, carbon farming, and fossil-based blue ammonia, which often deepen dependency on fossil inputs and entrench corporate control.
Raj Patel, one of the panel’s leading experts, warned: “Tethering food systems to fossil fuels means tying dinner plates to oil rigs, climate chaos, and political conflict. Breaking that link is not only possible—it’s essential for food justice and climate justice.”
Conclusion
The “Fuel to Fork” report is a wake-up call to decouple the way we feed the world from the very industries driving environmental collapse. As nations prepare their commitments for COP30, IPES-Food emphasizes that true climate action must start at the roots—with the seeds we plant, the soil we tend, and the fuels we leave behind.
Source: International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), Fuel to Fork: What Will It Take to Get Fossil Fuels Out of Our Food Systems?, July 2025.
