COP27: The “COP of food” is about to begin
COP27 in Egypt is going to be the “COP of food”.
And it’s about time: The global food system accounts for around one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Finding ways to make it climate-smart would represent a huge win for people and planet.
But the food system is also incredibly complex. Transformation will require changes at multiple levels over multiple timescales.
Whether you’re attending COP27 in person, or following online, the huge range of food system-related events taking in Sharm El Sheikh will provide insights into the challenges we face, the opportunities for change and the innovations that are already making waves.
Here are some of our favourites:
- Food Systems Pavilion – 6-18th November
Co-hosted by Clim-Eat and several movers and shakers in the world of food innovations, the Food Systems Pavilion is first for COP – an entire conference space dedicated to the food system and food issues. Running over 11 full days – ten of which are themed – it will focus on the critical role that food systems can play in responding to and mitigating climate change, and building the resilience. It will consider a range of aspects – from innovations, to the role of youth, to the promise of more sustainable diets.
- Launch of the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Initiative – 12th November
FAST is a global, multi-stakeholder effort concerned with the roles of climate finance, capacity building and policy development in supporting the transformation of agri-food systems. Facilitated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization with other UN agencies, it is one of the official initiatives of COP27 and currently led by Egypt as part of its COP27 Presidency. True to its acronym, it aims have an impact quickly – by 2030 in fact. For updates on the event, check here
- CompensACTION – IFAD Pavilion – 11th November (14:30-15:30 EET)
The CompensACTION initiative aims to support G7 countries and their partners in developing large-scale Payments for Ecosystem Services programmes involving smallholder farmers in low- and lower-middle income countries. It is funded by Clim-Eat, the Netherlands Food Partnership, the German Development Agency (GIZ), Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and USAID. The COP27 session will provide insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in establishing effective PES schemes, including recommendations on low-cost outcome monitoring, public-private financing mechanisms and policy reform. For updates on the event, check here.
- Breaking Down Barriers for an Agricultural Breakthrough – Food Systems Pavilion (18:30-19:15 EET)
One of the aims of the Breakthrough Agenda at COP26 was to make “climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture the most attractive and widely adopted option for farmers everywhere by 2030”. This session at the Food Systems Pavilion, co-hosted by Clim-Eat, will look at the progress made in the past 12 months and what needs to happen next. It will cover issues ranging from R&D investment priorities, climate finance, and the metrics and indicators needed to track global progress on the adoption of climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture. The agenda feature many Clim-Eat friends, including our Chief Innovation Strategist, Bruce Campbell. Watch the livestream.
See the full list of COP27 events that Clim-Eat is involved in.
*