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Food systems transformation will take centre stage at Food4Climate's first Pavilion at the UN climate summit in Egypt next month.
The Food4Climate Pavilion which is supported by ProVeg International, Compassion in World Farming, Food Tank, FOUR PAWS, IPES-Food, A Well-Fed World, and 16 other NGOs, think-tanks - as well as commercial organisations, plans to highlight the critical yet overlooked need to transform our global food system to tackle climate change.
Science shows that climate targets will not be met without urgent food system change including adopting agroecological practices, shifting away from animal-sourced foods, and reducing food loss and waste.
Throughout COP27, delegates from nearly 200 UN member states will be able to attend daily talks and network with NGOs, the commercial industry, academic institutions and researchers at the Food4Climate Pavilion.
The Pavilion will be located in the Blue Zone of COP27, taking place this year in Sharm El Sheikh from 6th to18th November.
“We need urgent action now that creates a just transition away from harmful resource-intensive agriculture and towards fair, healthy, humane and resilient food systems,” explains Juliette Tronchon, spokesperson for the coalition behind the Food4Climate Pavilion.
“Through our programme of dedicated events, the Food4Climate Pavilion will significantly advance awareness among UN member states that we cannot tackle the climate emergency without addressing food systems.”
“It will be impossible to limit temperature rise and meet the Paris Agreement goals without addressing the impacts of our food systems.
The Pavilion will make that clear to COP27 delegates so that they will feel equipped to return to their countries to formulate policies that encourage plant-rich diets.”
Food system emissions
The global food system is currently responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) but animal-based foods emit twice as much greenhouse gases as plant-based foods.
According to the coalition, a just transition away from resource-intensive food systems towards more resilient, diverse systems will be crucial to reverse the climate crisis and adapt to extreme weather, whilst promoting inclusion and equality and improving food security and global health.
Tronchon says: “Where animal-sourced food is consumed in excess, shifting towards more animal-free diets is one of the most effective measures for mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The Pavilion has launched dedicated website, https://food4climatepavilion.com with information about its programme at the event which includes themed days on:
As a consequence, I am convinced that the presence of the Pavilion at COP27 will have a lasting, positive effect on tackling the climate crisis through food system change.”
Olivier De Schutter, co-chair of Pavilion partner, IPES-Food, adds, “without a rapid transformation towards sustainable food systems, it will be impossible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and prevent mass crop failures.
“The Food4Climate Pavilion will help put the healthy, diverse and resilient food systems we need on the agenda of COP27.”
The Pavilion has launched dedicated website, https://food4climatepavilion.com with information about its programme at the event which includes themed days on:
Debbie Tripley, Global Director of Campaigns and Policy for pavillion partner, Compassion in World Farming, says: “Without urgent action by world leaders to fix the global food system we won’t tackle the climate emergency.
In a letter, signatories highlighted to the Presidency how Egypt's traditional cuisine is ideally suited to deliver healthy and sustainable catering at the UN's biggest climate event.
We have to phase out industrial animal agriculture, shift to nature and climate-friendly farming systems, and reduce the overconsumption of animal-sourced foods.
This is the only way we will provide a global food system that is fair and benefits animals, people and our planet.”
Appeal for more plant-based meals at COP
Separately, the coalition behind the Food4Climate Pavilion has joined 160 other organisations this month in calling for the Egyptian Presidency of COP27 to provide sustainable, plant-rich food to delegates.
In a letter, signatories highlighted to the Presidency how Egypt’s traditional cuisine is ideally suited to deliver healthy and sustainable catering at the UN’s biggest climate event.
