From words to actions: setting clear targets on food system transformation ahead of the next COP28 in UAE
The European Alliance for Plant-based Foods (EAPF) applauds the positive developments of the first ever United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP27) officially featuring food and agriculture, but calls on the international community to step up action by bringing forward global targets for food system transition ahead of next year’s COP28 in UAE.
The recent COP27 in Egypt marked the first UN climate conference officially including food and agriculture, with a thematic day devoted to Agriculture and Adaptation, as well as four food pavilions and over two hundred side events dedicated to the topic. This is a positive step to acknowledge the impact of food systems on climate, and to develop initiatives fostering food systems transformation globally.
In particular, EAPF welcomes the following food-related initiatives introduced during COP27:
- FAST – Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation Initiative aiming to increase climate finance contributions for agriculture and food systems.
- iCAN – Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition focused on fostering multistakeholder and multisectoral collaboration, and acceleration of transformative action, while addressing the critical nexus of health, nutrition and climate change.
- FAO Roadmap for More Sustainable Food Systems including a plan for a reduction of the impact of food and agriculture on the environment.
However, regrettably, the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan and the Koronivia joint work on agriculture failed to address the environmental impact of the industrial livestock sector – which is responsible for as much as 14% of global methane emissions – and overlooked the potential of food system transformation towards predominantly plant-based diets – especially in the Global North – in addressing the urgent climate crisis and keeping the 1.5 goal of the Paris Agreement within reach. A transition towards sustainable food systems is key if we want to stand a chance of achieving global climate goals: setting clear, measurable targets would allow to keep track of progresses and work towards concrete results.
We therefore call on the international community to fully acknowledge the potential of food system transformation and deliver the tools necessary to make the transition happening, by working on a set of targets – which includes a shift towards predominantly plant-based diets – to be presented at the next COP28 in Dubai.
“Food system transformation is imperative to ensure we meet our climate goals, and create resilient mitigation and adaptation mechanisms. Political leaders worldwide need to move from words to figures, setting clear targets to enable the transition needed to face current and future global challenges. In this context, plant-based food production and consumption should be the pillar of a shift towards a healthier and more sustainable diet, especially in the Global North – for the climate, for the health of people, and for the long-term food security.”
Siska Pottie
Secretary General, European Alliance for Plant-Based Foods
The full statement is available to download here.