Agriculture and Food are the principal cause of biodiversity damage. Record-high food prices have triggered this year’s global crisis, forcing millions into extreme poverty. Formerly, Food was not present at dominant negotiations over climate, deforestation, or different persistent complications. However, Food might be our best solution, given that it can get the attention it deserves.
Though, this situation is changing. The November 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) will be an excellent opportunity to discuss Food concerns and implement solutions that can benefit all—the environment and hunger, whilst supporting more sustainable economies.
COP27 in Egypt is a turning point for Food, Agriculture and Climate initiatives, as there will be a Pavilion putting these issues at the central stage in line with parts’ decisive work of civil society collections. For instance, the Global Action Platform on Sustainable Consumption and Diets.
Such a Food Systems pavilion will gather many top international Food organisations bridging the public, private, and not-for-profit segments, from scientists, policymakers, and farmers to youth, bearing diverse capabilities and standpoints. These participants have worked collectively to cope with negotiations, communicate solutions, and overcome barriers.
We demand an innovative change of mind to deliberate on a multinational Food System and take better-committed action, which compels visible transformation in how we function, do business, consume and distribute food products.
Leaders worldwide have an opportunity to manage the complications of renovating our Food into nutritious diets. The COP27 represents new opportunities to come face-to-face with innovations and change out-of-date conducts to thrust positive transformation.
The COP27 represents changes in countries, laboratories, fields, kitchens, meeting rooms and forums. COP27 can show leaders that Agribusiness can be the solution—from Agroecology supporting technologies that can reduce post-harvest food losses and waste to seaweed farms, diminishing and familiarising to the consequences of climate change in multiple ways.
Several Food industries will be present at the COP27; for instance, a cultivated meat company will discuss how they are developing slaughter-free meat by taking cells from real cows. Others will show their urban farm flourishing global networks in cooperation with non-profit organisations (NGOs) and working at the forefront to reinforce farmers and small-size manufacturers.
Reaching the 1.5ºC goals without renovating how we produce, distribute and consume Food and reconditioning land use is impossible. Fast-tracking innovation practices and nature-based solutions combined with decision-makers can generate Food and Land systems which support the Planet, Food producers, and communities.
As stated by the Food and Land Use Coalition Pavilion, transforming Food Systems could save trillions yearly by 2030 to benefit people and the Planet while also making trillions annually in new economic opportunities—more investments to put into the transformation.
Summing up: participating in this summit will generate leveraging, sustainable, and healthy Food systems to halt biodiversity loss and climate change whilst elevating the health and maintenance of people and the Planet.
Food system transformation is attainable but demands dedicated commitment, dialogue, and in the long run, governments, enterprises, and communities worldwide participation. Leaders must make these transitions right away to protect our younger generations.
Dave Food