Background
Background
Background
For over a decade, global leaders have advanced a shared goal: to speed the transition to healthy and resilient agrifood systems by mainstreaming adoption of True Cost Accounting (TCA).
For over a decade, global leaders have advanced a shared goal: to speed the transition to healthy and resilient agrifood systems by mainstreaming adoption of True Cost Accounting (TCA).
In that time, the world has been rocked by a global pandemic, local and regional conflicts, and worsening harms from climate change. The role of agrifood systems in contributing to and potentially mitigating the fallout from this polycrisis has come into sharper focus, motivating leaders to seek new approaches to solve these complex challenges.
The TCA community has built broad support for the vital role of True Cost Accounting in transforming agrifood systems. Major institutions have expressed support for this approach, most notably in FAO’s historic decision to feature TCA in consecutive editions of its flagship State of Food and Agriculture report.
TCA has also been put to the test in case studies around the world, demonstrating its promise to holistically assess agrifood systems and identify solutions that maximize value for people and nature. The UN Environment Program has led the way on this front, partnering with governments, businesses, researchers, and civil society organizations to pilot implementation of its TCA framework, known as TEEBAgriFood.
TCA Case Studies 2016 - 2023
TCA Case Studies 2016 - 2023
TCA Case Studies 2016 - 2023
Introducing Scaling Implementation: An initiative to mainstream True Cost Accounting by 2030
Introducing Scaling Implementation: An initiative to mainstream True Cost Accounting by 2030
Introducing Scaling Implementation: An initiative to mainstream True Cost Accounting by 2030
Now is the time to capitalize on this momentum. The TCA community has successfully demonstrated TCA’s value proposition and garnered the interest of global leaders. Now we must scale up TCA implementation and reduce remaining barriers to its application.
We need a new action plan to guide this next phase, informed by an updated understanding of the opportunities and barriers to further advance TCA as a tool for effective decision-making.
Further scaling this approach also requires bold stakeholder commitments and the inclusion of fresh voices around the table to inspire creative thinking and spur consideration of diverse perspectives.
To accomplish this goal, the TCA Accelerator has joined with 16 partner organizations to develop and implement a TCA Action Plan to dramatically scale TCA implementation by 2030.
The TCA Action Plan will serve as a strategic roadmap so that governments, businesses, researchers, civil society, philanthropy, and individuals can achieve greater collective impact and meet the goal of widespread adoption of TCA as a decision-making tool to achieve more sustainable, healthy, and equitable food systems.
The TCA Action Plan will be released in July 2025.
The TCA Dialogue Series and Summit
The TCA Dialogue Series and Summit
The TCA Dialogue Series and Summit was launched in October 2024 to gather insights from global food system leaders regarding the remaining barriers to widespread scaling of TCA and the most strategic opportunities to advance this approach in the next five years. These insights will lay the foundation for the TCA Action Plan.
The TCA Dialogue Series
The TCA Accelerator organized a series of virtual dialogues to engage diverse stakeholders and identify priority topics for the TCA Summit. During each dialogue, participants reviewed lessons learned from relevant initiatives and case studies, discussed barriers to scaling up true cost accounting implementation, and opportunities for collective action.
Dialogue inputs will be synthesized to identify common themes, areas of tension and debate, priorities for action, and resourcing needs — all serving to craft a community-led agenda for the TCA Summit.
TCA DIALOGUE TRACK THEMES
Global Policy and Action
Global Policy and Action: In this session, participants explored policy levers/entry points where application of true cost accounting food systems decision-making can deliver improved outcomes for people and nature (e.g. repurposing subsidies, incentives, taxes, regulations, land use reforms), as well as how TCA can serve as an accountability tool for commitments made by countries and private sector actors engaged in global fora (e.g. CBD, UNFCCC, SDGs, G20, etc.). With an eye to the goal of mainstreaming TCA by 2030, participants identified the most strategic opportunities and barriers to achieve this objective.
Global Policy and Action
Global Policy and Action: In this session, participants explored policy levers/entry points where application of true cost accounting food systems decision-making can deliver improved outcomes for people and nature (e.g. repurposing subsidies, incentives, taxes, regulations, land use reforms), as well as how TCA can serve as an accountability tool for commitments made by countries and private sector actors engaged in global fora (e.g. CBD, UNFCCC, SDGs, G20, etc.). With an eye to the goal of mainstreaming TCA by 2030, participants identified the most strategic opportunities and barriers to achieve this objective.
Global Policy and Action
Global Policy and Action: In this session, participants explored policy levers/entry points where application of true cost accounting food systems decision-making can deliver improved outcomes for people and nature (e.g. repurposing subsidies, incentives, taxes, regulations, land use reforms), as well as how TCA can serve as an accountability tool for commitments made by countries and private sector actors engaged in global fora (e.g. CBD, UNFCCC, SDGs, G20, etc.). With an eye to the goal of mainstreaming TCA by 2030, participants identified the most strategic opportunities and barriers to achieve this objective.
Private Sector Implementation
Building from recent case studies and capacity-building initiatives led by TCA community members, participants in this dialogue track discussed how to further mainstream TCA in private sector decision-making. We explored the lessons learned from past initiatives to identify barriers and opportunities, and considered how TCA can offer a valuable tool to the private sector among shifting business and regulatory dynamics.
Private Sector Implementation
Building from recent case studies and capacity-building initiatives led by TCA community members, participants in this dialogue track discussed how to further mainstream TCA in private sector decision-making. We explored the lessons learned from past initiatives to identify barriers and opportunities, and considered how TCA can offer a valuable tool to the private sector among shifting business and regulatory dynamics.
Private Sector Implementation
Building from recent case studies and capacity-building initiatives led by TCA community members, participants in this dialogue track discussed how to further mainstream TCA in private sector decision-making. We explored the lessons learned from past initiatives to identify barriers and opportunities, and considered how TCA can offer a valuable tool to the private sector among shifting business and regulatory dynamics.
TCA as a Lens for Agrifood System Finance and Investment
True Cost Accounting (TCA) applies a holistic approach to allow decision-makers to understand the full array of positive and negative impacts of food system activities, and to use this knowledge to back approaches that maximize benefits for people and nature. Such knowledge is particularly important for driving finance and investment decisions. Financing landscape level food system transitions is emerging as a critical strategy for solving what some today are calling a polycrisis. Participants in this dialogue discussed investments that use True Cost Accounting or similar holistic approaches to evaluate and support positive outcomes across multiple capitals - natural, human, social, financial – and the tools and data available to support such efforts. We explored lessons learned from initiatives that are either succeeding at the intended scale of impact, or should be succeeding but have encountered barriers to scale. The objective was to learn from each other, identify what is needed next, and to develop a shared strategy that can help the market mature for financing food system transitions as we pursue our goal to dramatically scale TCA implementation by 2030.
TCA as a Lens for Agrifood System Finance and Investment
True Cost Accounting (TCA) applies a holistic approach to allow decision-makers to understand the full array of positive and negative impacts of food system activities, and to use this knowledge to back approaches that maximize benefits for people and nature. Such knowledge is particularly important for driving finance and investment decisions. Financing landscape level food system transitions is emerging as a critical strategy for solving what some today are calling a polycrisis. Participants in this dialogue discussed investments that use True Cost Accounting or similar holistic approaches to evaluate and support positive outcomes across multiple capitals - natural, human, social, financial – and the tools and data available to support such efforts. We explored lessons learned from initiatives that are either succeeding at the intended scale of impact, or should be succeeding but have encountered barriers to scale. The objective was to learn from each other, identify what is needed next, and to develop a shared strategy that can help the market mature for financing food system transitions as we pursue our goal to dramatically scale TCA implementation by 2030.
TCA as a Lens for Agrifood System Finance and Investment
True Cost Accounting (TCA) applies a holistic approach to allow decision-makers to understand the full array of positive and negative impacts of food system activities, and to use this knowledge to back approaches that maximize benefits for people and nature. Such knowledge is particularly important for driving finance and investment decisions. Financing landscape level food system transitions is emerging as a critical strategy for solving what some today are calling a polycrisis. Participants in this dialogue discussed investments that use True Cost Accounting or similar holistic approaches to evaluate and support positive outcomes across multiple capitals - natural, human, social, financial – and the tools and data available to support such efforts. We explored lessons learned from initiatives that are either succeeding at the intended scale of impact, or should be succeeding but have encountered barriers to scale. The objective was to learn from each other, identify what is needed next, and to develop a shared strategy that can help the market mature for financing food system transitions as we pursue our goal to dramatically scale TCA implementation by 2030.
TCA Evaluation
The 2018 TEEBAgriFood Evaluation Framework established a common architecture for applications of true cost accounting to assess agrifood systems, enjoying widespread consensus on the required elements of true cost accounting applications and inspiring dozens of public and private sector case studies. However, the TEEBAgriFood Framework was not prescriptive regarding what methodologies, indicators, or data practitioners should use. Many in the TCA community support this flexible approach as it affords context-specific adaptations and is seen as appropriate and necessary given food systems’ complexity — including diversity of policy, economic, and cultural environments; stakeholders, research scope, or supply chain focus; data availability; inclusion of traditional knowledge and non-quantitative considerations; and crops, soils, climates, and other natural variations. Others have argued that this lack of a standardized approach presents a critical barrier to mainstreaming TCA’s uptake due to the cost and complexity of custom analyses and difficulty comparing across TCA assessments, hampering decision-makers’ ability to understand trade-offs and solutions in a consistent and useful manner. Proponents of a harmonized approach also point to the potential for TCA to be co-opted as a greenwashing tool without standardization. Participants in this workshop explored the tension between these perspectives and the extent to which greater consensus is possible and necessary to meet the goal to scale TCA implementation by 2030. We reviewed case studies for lessons learned and considered how — with or without a standardized approach — we can inform more effective food system decision-making by lowering the barrier to entry for potential TCA users with regard to data gaps, methodology limitations, accessibility of TCA tools, and incorporation of non-traditional sources of knowledge and evidence.
TCA Evaluation
The 2018 TEEBAgriFood Evaluation Framework established a common architecture for applications of true cost accounting to assess agrifood systems, enjoying widespread consensus on the required elements of true cost accounting applications and inspiring dozens of public and private sector case studies. However, the TEEBAgriFood Framework was not prescriptive regarding what methodologies, indicators, or data practitioners should use. Many in the TCA community support this flexible approach as it affords context-specific adaptations and is seen as appropriate and necessary given food systems’ complexity — including diversity of policy, economic, and cultural environments; stakeholders, research scope, or supply chain focus; data availability; inclusion of traditional knowledge and non-quantitative considerations; and crops, soils, climates, and other natural variations. Others have argued that this lack of a standardized approach presents a critical barrier to mainstreaming TCA’s uptake due to the cost and complexity of custom analyses and difficulty comparing across TCA assessments, hampering decision-makers’ ability to understand trade-offs and solutions in a consistent and useful manner. Proponents of a harmonized approach also point to the potential for TCA to be co-opted as a greenwashing tool without standardization. Participants in this workshop explored the tension between these perspectives and the extent to which greater consensus is possible and necessary to meet the goal to scale TCA implementation by 2030. We reviewed case studies for lessons learned and considered how — with or without a standardized approach — we can inform more effective food system decision-making by lowering the barrier to entry for potential TCA users with regard to data gaps, methodology limitations, accessibility of TCA tools, and incorporation of non-traditional sources of knowledge and evidence.
TCA Evaluation
The 2018 TEEBAgriFood Evaluation Framework established a common architecture for applications of true cost accounting to assess agrifood systems, enjoying widespread consensus on the required elements of true cost accounting applications and inspiring dozens of public and private sector case studies. However, the TEEBAgriFood Framework was not prescriptive regarding what methodologies, indicators, or data practitioners should use. Many in the TCA community support this flexible approach as it affords context-specific adaptations and is seen as appropriate and necessary given food systems’ complexity — including diversity of policy, economic, and cultural environments; stakeholders, research scope, or supply chain focus; data availability; inclusion of traditional knowledge and non-quantitative considerations; and crops, soils, climates, and other natural variations. Others have argued that this lack of a standardized approach presents a critical barrier to mainstreaming TCA’s uptake due to the cost and complexity of custom analyses and difficulty comparing across TCA assessments, hampering decision-makers’ ability to understand trade-offs and solutions in a consistent and useful manner. Proponents of a harmonized approach also point to the potential for TCA to be co-opted as a greenwashing tool without standardization. Participants in this workshop explored the tension between these perspectives and the extent to which greater consensus is possible and necessary to meet the goal to scale TCA implementation by 2030. We reviewed case studies for lessons learned and considered how — with or without a standardized approach — we can inform more effective food system decision-making by lowering the barrier to entry for potential TCA users with regard to data gaps, methodology limitations, accessibility of TCA tools, and incorporation of non-traditional sources of knowledge and evidence.
Communications & Advocacy
A growing body of TCA case studies has demonstrated food systems’ hidden costs to people and nature — and the potential for alternative approaches to address pressing local and global challenges. But simply measuring costs and benefits will not transform food systems. To achieve TCA’s potential, advocates for food systems change must move from knowledge to action — whether influencing policy, business, investment, farming, or consumer decisions. In this interactive session, we will explore effective communications and advocacy strategies to scale TCA as a transformative tool for food systems. Together, we identified major barriers to this goal and opportunities to overcome them. We also examined real-world examples of successful advocacy and communications initiatives, analyzing the key elements of their success. Conversely, we considered initiatives that fell short and discussed the factors behind their challenges. Participants shared valuable insights to help shape the path forward for a more equitable and sustainable food system.
Communications & Advocacy
A growing body of TCA case studies has demonstrated food systems’ hidden costs to people and nature — and the potential for alternative approaches to address pressing local and global challenges. But simply measuring costs and benefits will not transform food systems. To achieve TCA’s potential, advocates for food systems change must move from knowledge to action — whether influencing policy, business, investment, farming, or consumer decisions. In this interactive session, we will explore effective communications and advocacy strategies to scale TCA as a transformative tool for food systems. Together, we identified major barriers to this goal and opportunities to overcome them. We also examined real-world examples of successful advocacy and communications initiatives, analyzing the key elements of their success. Conversely, we considered initiatives that fell short and discussed the factors behind their challenges. Participants shared valuable insights to help shape the path forward for a more equitable and sustainable food system.
Communications & Advocacy
A growing body of TCA case studies has demonstrated food systems’ hidden costs to people and nature — and the potential for alternative approaches to address pressing local and global challenges. But simply measuring costs and benefits will not transform food systems. To achieve TCA’s potential, advocates for food systems change must move from knowledge to action — whether influencing policy, business, investment, farming, or consumer decisions. In this interactive session, we will explore effective communications and advocacy strategies to scale TCA as a transformative tool for food systems. Together, we identified major barriers to this goal and opportunities to overcome them. We also examined real-world examples of successful advocacy and communications initiatives, analyzing the key elements of their success. Conversely, we considered initiatives that fell short and discussed the factors behind their challenges. Participants shared valuable insights to help shape the path forward for a more equitable and sustainable food system.
Aligning Forces: Using TCA to Support Social and Environmental Movements
For decades, global leaders have introduced and implemented responses to a range of persistent environmental, social, and health challenges, yet meaningful progress remains elusive. The role of the food system — as both a contributor to and solution for these challenges — is increasingly gaining attention. As focus turns to food system interventions, it is critical to support advocates who champion approaches that maximize benefits for people and nature, while countering proposals that deepen the challenges we face through unintended consequences or outright greenwashing. True Cost Accounting (TCA) offers a unique approach that can empower efforts to build healthy and resilient food systems. By revealing hidden costs and benefits often overlooked by traditional economic models, TCA creates a solid evidence base for diverse stakeholders. In this workshop, we explored how TCA can more effectively integrate with social and environmental movements to support our collective goal of a healthier, more equitable world.
Aligning Forces: Using TCA to Support Social and Environmental Movements
For decades, global leaders have introduced and implemented responses to a range of persistent environmental, social, and health challenges, yet meaningful progress remains elusive. The role of the food system — as both a contributor to and solution for these challenges — is increasingly gaining attention. As focus turns to food system interventions, it is critical to support advocates who champion approaches that maximize benefits for people and nature, while countering proposals that deepen the challenges we face through unintended consequences or outright greenwashing. True Cost Accounting (TCA) offers a unique approach that can empower efforts to build healthy and resilient food systems. By revealing hidden costs and benefits often overlooked by traditional economic models, TCA creates a solid evidence base for diverse stakeholders. In this workshop, we explored how TCA can more effectively integrate with social and environmental movements to support our collective goal of a healthier, more equitable world.
Aligning Forces: Using TCA to Support Social and Environmental Movements
For decades, global leaders have introduced and implemented responses to a range of persistent environmental, social, and health challenges, yet meaningful progress remains elusive. The role of the food system — as both a contributor to and solution for these challenges — is increasingly gaining attention. As focus turns to food system interventions, it is critical to support advocates who champion approaches that maximize benefits for people and nature, while countering proposals that deepen the challenges we face through unintended consequences or outright greenwashing. True Cost Accounting (TCA) offers a unique approach that can empower efforts to build healthy and resilient food systems. By revealing hidden costs and benefits often overlooked by traditional economic models, TCA creates a solid evidence base for diverse stakeholders. In this workshop, we explored how TCA can more effectively integrate with social and environmental movements to support our collective goal of a healthier, more equitable world.
Regional/Country Level Implementation
The TCA Accelerator is also hosting Regional Dialogues for stakeholders in Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand Latin America, and India. Each of these conversations brought together participants eager to discuss TCA in their regional context, make new connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration on local TCA implementation projects.
Regional/Country Level Implementation
The TCA Accelerator is also hosting Regional Dialogues for stakeholders in Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand Latin America, and India. Each of these conversations brought together participants eager to discuss TCA in their regional context, make new connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration on local TCA implementation projects.
Regional/Country Level Implementation
The TCA Accelerator is also hosting Regional Dialogues for stakeholders in Europe, Africa, Australia/New Zealand Latin America, and India. Each of these conversations brought together participants eager to discuss TCA in their regional context, make new connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration on local TCA implementation projects.
The TCA Summit
The TCA Summit will be a dynamic event, centered around interactive sessions guided by facilitators with the expertise to drive conversations toward tangible outcomes and clear decisions for next steps. The Summit will offer both issue-specific and cross-cutting breakout groups or plenary sessions to allow for conversations that go deep in specific topics while also breaking down silos between disciplines and sectors.
TCA Dialogue Series and Summit Objectives
Accelerate implementation
Accelerate implementation
Establish a new TCA agenda, facilitate TCA community knowledge sharing and collaboration, and build bridges between TCA and aligned initiatives.
Establish a new TCA agenda, facilitate TCA community knowledge sharing and collaboration, and build bridges between TCA and aligned initiatives.
Take stock
Take stock
Through community participation, assess lessons learned from TCA initiatives to date, and identify barriers and opportunities.
Through community participation, assess lessons learned from TCA initiatives to date, and identify barriers and opportunities.
Inspire & energize
Inspire & energize
Secure stakeholder commitments to implement the TCA agenda and engage new and previously underrepresented voices to lead its implementation.
Secure stakeholder commitments to implement the TCA agenda and engage new and previously underrepresented voices to lead its implementation.
Our partners
Our partners
Our partners
Follow & Support
Created by TCA Accelerator
info@tcaaccelerator.org
Follow & Support
Created by TCA Accelerator
info@tcaaccelerator.org
Follow & Support
Created by TCA Accelerator
info@tcaaccelerator.org