True Cost Accounting (TCA) is a powerful tool that makes hidden environmental, social and health costs - and benefits - of agrifood systems visible. Efforts are underway to translate TCA evidence into policies that comprehensively address these costs and accelerate progress toward sustainable, equitable and resilient agrifood systems. Presenting case studies from Latin America alongside a panel discussion, this event will focus how to move from siloed thinking to a systems approach that enables policymakers to understand and balance ecological, social, and health impacts. 

EVENT OBJECTIVES 
- Introduce attendees to the concept of True Cost Accounting and how it is used in diverse agrifood system contexts around the world. 
- Explain how TCA can help policymakers balance social, ecological, and health costs and benefits in agrifood systems decisions in order to reach climate and biodiversity goals. 
- Introduce the True Cost Accounting Action Agenda, published in February 2026: a community-built plan to mainstream TCA for agrifood system decision-making by 2030. 
 
KEY OUTCOMES 
- Attendees will understand the history of True Cost Accounting, and how agrifood systems and TCA are integral to reaching climate and biodiversity goals. 
- Attendees will understand how TCA allows users to understand and balance social, health, and ecological impacts alongside economic impacts for better long term decision-making that benefits people and planet. 
- Attendees will be invited to take an active role in Action Agenda implementation, connecting to the TCA community and aligned initiatives (sustainable finance; public health).