News in brief:
– Sultan al-Jaber has pledged to prioritise transforming food systems at the climate talks during COP28, recognising their significant role in addressing climate change due to their contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
– Experts and advocates welcome the commitment, emphasising the need to shift away from intensive agriculture for a more sustainable and resilient future.
In a significant move, COP28 president-designate Sultan al-Jaber has pledged to prioritise adapting and transforming food systems at the upcoming climate talks in Dubai.
The decision recognises the critical role of food systems in addressing climate change, as they account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Sultan al-Jaber’s pledge has been welcomed by experts and advocates. Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of the restaurant chain Leon and lead adviser on England’s National Food Strategy, emphasised the need to move away from modern intensive agriculture, which has contributed to a ‘global collapse’ in biodiversity.
Transforming food systems offers a promising approach to disrupt the vicious cycle between climate change and agriculture. The current system generates greenhouse gas emissions at every stage, which is evident from production to transportation and consumption, also leading to significant waste.
Furthermore, overuse of land, fertilisers, and pesticides further exacerbates the problem. They threaten insects crucial for food production and deplete soil nutrients. Conversely, sustainable food systems can reduce emissions and enhance soil carbon sequestration – capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has highlighted the urgency of addressing food systems. He stated that global food systems are broken and billions of people are paying the price. However, food and agriculture have often been sidelined in climate negotiations.
Overall, the commitment to transforming food systems at COP28 represents a crucial step towards addressing certain challenges like climate change and ensuring food security for a growing global population.
The food and agriculture sector is poised to contribute to a more resilient and equitable future. Although, this will be realised by adopting sustainable practices and embracing innovative technologies.
