This book provides an introductory overview on SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and associated complexities and challenges in the context of the Global South. It reviews the transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – specifically Zero Hunger – and presents a comprehensive picture on where the Global South stands today and how global developments such as the Covid-19 pandemic and conflict affect this positioning. More importantly, this book critically reflects on the indicator-based framework of SDG 2, from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. While eradicating hunger unquestionably needs to be at the top of the policy agenda, it is also important alongside to engage in critical reflection so that this agenda is translated locally.

This book highlights three omissions from Zero Hunger framework: urbanization of hunger, centrality of structural barriers and group inequality, which are detrimental to the 2030 agenda for ‘leaving no one behind’.

Topical and rich in primary and secondary data, this book is a must-read for students of sustainable development, development studies, environment and sustainability, public policy and professionals working in development sectors, aid organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).