Efforts to make food and agriculture systems globally more equitable, accessible, and sustainable have received unprecedented attention at COP28, with 134 countries committing to align their national food systems and agriculture strategies with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Strategies (LTSs) to address climate change. The COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, launched as part of an ambitious action plan aimed at keeping the 1.5°C target within reach, has four pillars covering national leadership, non-state actors, scaling up innovation, and finance.
Unveiling the COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda
As part of an ambitious action plan unveiled at COP28, the Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda takes center stage with four comprehensive pillars. These pillars address critical aspects of the transformative agenda: national leadership, engaging non-state actors, scaling up innovation, and ensuring robust financial support.
National Leadership:
Under the first pillar, nations commit to taking decisive leadership roles in steering their food and agriculture systems towards sustainability. This involves integrating climate-resilient practices, fostering local agricultural innovation, and prioritizing inclusive policies that ensure equitable benefits across diverse communities.
The Emirates Leaders Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, announced at COP28, marks a historic milestone in advancing resilient food systems. The declaration calls for better coherence between food systems transformation and the response to climate change and includes a clear timeline for action, with NDCs, NAPs, LTSs, and NBSAPs set to be updated by 2025 and a progress review at COP 29 in 2024
Non-state actors
Recognizing the multi-stakeholder nature of food systems, the second pillar highlights the crucial role of non-state actors. From local farmers to international organizations, this pillar emphasizes collaborative efforts, encouraging partnerships that transcend geographical and sectoral boundaries. The goal is to create a cohesive global movement towards sustainable agriculture.
The inclusion of a clear timeline for action demonstrates a measurable and accountable action, with the Non-State Actors Call to Action for Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate, launched in parallel with the Emirates Declaration, coming together with a common purpose to reshape food and agriculture, positioning them as pivotal solutions to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Scaling Up Innovation:
Innovation emerges as a key driver in the third pillar, as countries pledge to scale up technological advancements and novel practices in agriculture. This includes harnessing digital solutions, precision farming, and sustainable agricultural techniques. The commitment to innovation aims to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Finance:
The fourth pillar addresses the financial dimension, acknowledging that transformative change requires substantial investment. Countries commit to mobilizing and allocating financial resources to support the transition towards sustainable food systems. This involves exploring innovative funding mechanisms, incentivizing private sector involvement, and ensuring that financial support reaches the grassroots level.
The 1.5°C Target in Focus: A Collective Effort to Combat Climate Change
Central to the COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda is the overarching goal of keeping the global temperature increase within the 1.5°C target. Recognizing the profound impact of food systems on climate change, these commitments reflect a shared determination to mitigate environmental degradation and build resilience against the escalating challenges posed by a changing climate.
The Leader’s Declaration on Food System, announced at COP28, is a milestone moment in climate action, bringing food systems to the forefront and creating a framework for transformative food-based climate action. However, global commitment must translate to local action to achieve the desired impact
Global Implications: A Roadmap for Sustainable Development
The ripple effects of this global commitment extend beyond environmental considerations. By aligning national strategies with climate goals, countries aim to foster sustainable development, address food insecurity, and uplift communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. The COP28 initiative envisions a future where agriculture becomes a cornerstone of global resilience and sustainable progress.
The Coalition for a Stronger Food Systems Approach at COP28 is also calling for national policies that support sustainable food production, reduce food loss and waste, promote healthy and sustainable diets, conserve and restore ecosystems, and scale up healthy soil practices. The coalition aims to raise the ambition of negotiators in preparation for COP28 and urges them to consider the opportunities offered by fully integrating actions across food systems.
Conclusion
As the world unites at COP28 to address the urgent climate crisis, the commitment to transforming food and agriculture systems stands out as a beacon of hope. The Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, with its pillars of national leadership, non-state actors, innovation, and finance, marks a turning point in the collective effort to create a more equitable, accessible, and sustainable future for all. The global community now faces the challenge of translating these pledges into tangible actions, with the ultimate goal of securing a resilient planet for generations to come.
COP28 has seen a significant commitment from 134 countries to integrate food systems and agriculture into their national strategies to address climate change. This commitment, along with the various declarations and calls to action, marks a historic milestone in advancing resilient food systems and demonstrates a growing political will to reshape food and agriculture as pivotal solutions to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
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