The Center for American Progress, World Wildlife Fund, Cargill, Mars, and CNA
developed and executed a policy decision-making game designed to explore issues
arising from, and possible responses to, global food system disruptions. The game
took place in November 2015 in Washington, D.C., and included senior officials and
subject matter experts on teams representing Brazil, Continental Africa, China, the
European Union (EU), India, the United States, Multilateral Institutions, and Business
and Investors. During four rounds of game play spanning the decade 2020 to 2030,
players confronted food system pressure at the intersection of population growth,
urbanization, severe weather, and social unrest. In response, players crafted policies,
made decisions, and took actions that dynamically influenced the state of the world
as the game advanced. As the chain reaction of impacts tied to their choices became
apparent, players experienced first-hand how their decisions and actions influenced
global food security. At the conclusion of the game, players highlighted significant
lessons learned and expressed increased preparedness to collaboratively address
food security.

Executive Summary Background The global food system is heavily networked and complex, making it vulnerable to a variety of risks. In 2007 and 2008, the world watched as a modern-era food crisis arose from the complex interplay of several drivers: droughts in major grain- and cereal-producing regions, increased biofuel production consuming grain supplies, and a range of evolving structural problems in the global food supply chain. Disruptions affected developed and developing countries alike, creating political and economic instability, and contributing to social unrest in certain areas. The crisis highlighted the critical importance of better understanding the interdependencies and cascading effects of decisions made throughout the global food system and how the effects of climate change may exacerbate such challenges. Recognizing the need to address threats to food security, World Wildlife Fund, the Center for American Progress, Cargill, and Mars (hereafter referred to as the sponsors) came together to develop a game exploring a range of questions including: Will increasing levels of stress on the global food system disrupt markets? Will individual nations become isolationist—or cooperate—to restore stability? Will global leaders identify new and innovative approaches to balance short- and long-run considerations? CNA, in collaboration with the sponsors, designed and conducted a policy decision-making exercise with 65 international thought leaders to better understand the global impacts of and responses to deepening global food system disruptions.