True Cost Accounting (TCA) is the systematic measurement and valuation of environmental, social, health, and economic costs to inform sustainable choices by governments and food system stakeholders. The approach is grounded on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) agri-food evaluation framework that accounts for externalities generated in the use of natural, human, and social capital.
IFPRI’s Research Program on TCA is dedicated to advancing the measurement, valuation, and integration of environmental, health, and social externalities within agrifood systems. By combining empirical analysis, innovative data methodologies, and policy modelling, the program generates actionable insights that support more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system transitions. It works across local, national, and global levels to inform fiscal reform, consumer behaviour, and governance strategies, ensuring that hidden costs are accounted for and that food system policies reflect their true societal impact.
