This summary was prepared by Hamed Kioumarsi, EBM at Springer Nature, in collaboration with Bahareh Rafiei (Plant Protection Research Department, Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Rasht, Iran) and Rodrigo Pacheco (Goodwill Ambassador, FAO).

Citation: Kioumarsi, H., Rafiei , B., & Pacheco, R. (2026). Beyond Alternative Protein: Insects as a Catalyst for Climate-Resilient Food Systems and the SDGs. Springer Nature Communities. https://go.nature.com/3TNTCk3

 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are extremely important and have very high relevance to many areas of life, including crucial ones like climate change, net-zero transition, and food security. These are very complicated topics that can be best understood from the multidisciplinary angle because they are very interrelated and affect many different domains.

A turning point in the food chain worldwide has arisen due to the fact that climate change, natural destruction, and resource competition are reshaping the way food production, processing, distribution, and consumption occurs. Meanwhile, the need for healthy and affordable protein foods has grown. While there is much research on alternative protein foods and cultured meat, one biological solution is often overlooked – insects.

There is more to the use of insects as a potential source than simply offering a protein alternative. The appropriate implementation of insects in the food chain is capable of bringing about change towards sustainability in many ways. This is because insects have the ability to contribute to many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 From protein to food system transformation

When it comes to insects, the wrong question to ask is: can they replace meat? The better question is: what role can they play in the transition towards global food systems that are climate-resilient?

Insects can be one of the key components of sustainable food systems, among other reasons due to their capacity for converting organic material. Specifically, under certain circumstances, and compared to traditional animals, insects can provide even more protein and other nutrients using less land and water. Moreover, certain edible species have the potential to convert specific types of organic waste into food and animal feed products. Such processes will help decouple the food production process from natural resources, which is important for creating climate-resilient food systems.

It is important to note that the sustainability potential of insect-based food production should not be exaggerated. In particular, the environmental performance of insect rearing is very much dependent on certain factors, including the type of species used, the feed provided, technology involved, and energy requirements.

Another issue to consider is that insects may sometimes be raised through indoor, intensive production on a large scale. In this case, it is crucial to consider the carbon footprint of such production systems. Thus, it is vital to conduct life-cycle assessments.

 From food security to circular bioeconomy

The role of insects in the context of food security could well extend to other areas of the circular bioeconomy. Insects have the potential to catalyze the development of interconnected systems that involve agriculture, food production, organic waste recycling, and animal feed production.

In a circular bioeconomy, organic matter fits into a broader framework in which waste can be transformed into other materials. Under appropriate conditions, specific organic by-products can become inputs for insect production, and insect products – in turn – can serve as food, feed, or fertilizer. This creates a virtuous cycle that transforms the way we think about food production systems.

Agriculture, food, and feed production are often linear by nature. They rely on primary production, processing, and consumption. When it comes to insects, however, we can think of a more integrated system in which food, feed, and fertilizer production are connected. Such an approach has the potential to be extremely valuable, particularly in regions facing land and water constraints. This is one reason why the development of circular food systems based on insects is so important. At the same time, there is no doubt that insects offer significant opportunities for innovation.

However, it is crucial to remember that any strategy involving insects must prioritize food safety and adhere to appropriate regulations. Similarly, the implications of pathogens, feed and substrate quality, traceability, contaminants such as heavy metals, and nutritional properties of insect products must always be considered.

 The Relationship Between Insects and the SDGs

There is an opportunity for insects to be able to help achieve a number of different UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).

For one, the key connection between insects and food security (Goal 2) is obvious. Insects' ability to offer protein-rich foods and their contribution to addressing global demand for protein in the appropriate circumstances cannot be overlooked. Besides that, insects have been incorporated into the cuisine of certain countries already. The other key connection between insects and food security lies in their contribution to a circular bioeconomy. Finally, there are also indirect links to food security through the reduction of the negative environmental effects of the food system by insect-based systems.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, insects may be very useful in terms of water use management. In comparison with conventional livestock, many edible insects need considerably less water to produce. This may be especially helpful in regions where water is scarce. At the same time, certain technologies and approaches to breeding insects should be used.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, insects open the door to new opportunities. The creation of value chains around these products can lead to job creation at various stages, from production to processing and retail sales. The development of innovative products based on insects can also contribute to economic growth and job creation in the broader sense.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: It should be noted that an environmentally friendly technology of breeding insects implies innovations and proper infrastructure development. This is one of the key aspects of making this promising area available for use by various producers.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The capacity of insects to recycle organic waste into either food or feed aligns well with this SDG. Moreover, insects can play a role as part of a more comprehensive approach to the reduction of waste and efficient food production.

Goal 13: Climate Action, insects may make a substantial contribution in terms of lower emissions and energy use. Furthermore, if such processes will replace more resource-consuming processes, they may become a crucial component of a climate change solution. But these advantages should be seen in a wider perspective and based on specific numbers.

Finally, the connection between insects and Goal 15: Life on Land is rather evident. If this area develops properly, insect-based food and feed production can contribute to the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity conservation. Specifically, the shift in production may lead to the reduced need for land reclamation. However, it all depends on the strategy that will be used.

 Looking beyond the alternative-protein paradigm

The most important insight from this analysis is that the best way to integrate insects into the global food system is to look beyond the narrow confines of the alternative-protein debate. After all, the ability of insects to serve as a viable replacement for conventional livestock has already been acknowledged. While being an alternative source of animal protein, insects can serve a much broader purpose: they can act as a catalyst for change.

The move toward a sustainable food system, in which the process of producing food becomes detached from the strain on natural resources and ecosystems, is an intricate and multilayered phenomenon. Not only is innovation necessary in terms of products and technologies; a paradigm shift regarding the nature of food production and consumption is required. Here lies the true potential of insects, as they may become a key part of such a transition. In this sense, insects have the potential to become an inseparable part of a novel approach in which people, the planet, and prosperity are the focus of the food system.

Certainly, there will be obstacles on the way, and it is crucial to identify them. Undoubtedly, the public perception, cultural attitudes, and regulatory framework will be central to the change. Market dynamics, food safety issues, and economic viability of mass production should be taken into consideration. At the same time, more research on the environmental footprint of different edible species, production practices, and technologies is needed.

Eventually, nonetheless, the development of real and innovative solutions is possible only through multidisciplinary collaboration. Different parties such as entomologists, food producers, climatologists, policy-makers, innovators, investors, and consumers may collaborate in their endeavor toward a unified aim. It is important not to remain in theoretical considerations but to come up with practical approaches. This implies further researches considering different angles of transition to a system with the use of insects.

References

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