Summary
Food and agriculture rely critically on water and wastewater systems, transportation systems, energy, and chemical sectors. This interconnected food system needs transformation to address climate change challenges. Engaging all industries implicated in food and agriculture — government representatives, farmers, researchers, employers, taxpayers, providers, and consumers — will bring creativity and innovation to the effort to deal with climate change. Smart, evidence-based policy will move the food system forward, by promoting agricultural resilience, mitigating further climate impacts, and enhancing biodiversity. Solutions Day brought together key businesses, innovators, and institutional representatives to identify challenges and build the collaborations necessary to devise and implement solutions.
Highlights
Pavilion events covered a wide range of solutions to the climate crisis, from climate-smart aquaculture to solar irrigation to digital climate information services. Throughout the day, pavilion co-hosts and partners:
- Described efforts linking nutrition and climate action in practice with a focus on agrifood system transformation. FAO and partners highlighted innovative tools and mechanisms to bring the ambition of nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart agrifood systems to action. Learn more.
- Explored climate-smart aquaculture systems, which the Advanced Climate Smart Aquaculture Technologies (ACliSAT) project is promoting through development and adoption of water-use efficient and cost-effective systems under water-deficient conditions. Learn more.
- Called on cities and partners to take a territorial systems and circular approach to building food resilience. Cities and practitioners discussed transformative solutions, initiatives from partner organizations, and insights from a recent global study from FAO. Learn more.
- Introduced new findings on solar irrigation uptake and challenges in Africa and South Asia, and the potential of the technology in a climate crisis. Key stakeholders discussed tradeoffs across greenhouse gas mitigation, food and nutrition security and water depletion. Learn more.
- Showcased pioneering efforts to enable meteorological agencies in the Global South to produce accurate climate information, co-create digital climate services for agricultural systems (crops, aquaculture and livestock) and support sustainable and inclusive business models. Learn more.
- Launched new climate data and findings of studies on climate change in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and discussed climate solutions for coastal areas and ocean economies in SIDS. Learn more.
- Discussed evidence on the links between food systems emissions and conflict, as well as evidence on how to scale approaches for achieving low emissions food systems and peace. Learn more.
- Explored how digital solutions can be designed and made available in more inclusive ways. Climate-smart technologies can only help fight climate change if they are embraced by small-scale farmers, but most digital solutions are scalable and profitable especially for big farms. Learn more.
Reel of the day
Videos and photos
Watch recordings and see photos from the events on November 17. You can also visit the COP27 Food and Agriculture Pavilion YouTube playlist to see all recordings from the Pavilion.
Beyond the Pavilion
Co-host news
- Devex COPcast episode #10: Claudia Sadoff on transforming food systems. Listen to the podcast.
COP27 news
- Launch of four solution-centered initiatives: Friends of Greening National Investment Plans in Africa and Developing Countries, Low Carbon Transport for Urban Sustainability (LOTUS), Sustainable Urban Resilience for the next Generation (SURGe), and Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050. Read more.
- As COP27 thematic days end, President urges Parties to reach much-needed conclusions and agreements (Reuters, UN, Bloomberg). Read more here, here, here, and here.
- Draft of the overarching agreement from COP27 does not call for a phase-down of all fossil fuels, nor on loss and damage (Grist, CNBC, The Guardian, Reuters). Read more here, here, here, and here.
- Parties urged to assist the Presidency in delivering a robust and meaningful text which focuses on implementation and signals intent and political commitment; Parties urged to redouble their efforts to reach greater convergence on the final day of COP; Plans for COP28 (IISD, Bloomberg). Read more here and here.
- The European Union backed a loss and damage fund, one of the key demands of developing countries at the climate talks (The Guardian). Read more here and here.
- Over 150 countries sign global pact to reduce methane emissions (Reuters). Read more.
- The United States announces two initiatives which demonstrate commitment to use of innovative clean energy technologies: Ukraine Clean Fuels from SMRs Pilot Project, and Project Phoenix – Accelerating the European Coal-to-Nuclear Transitions (JDSupra). Read more.
- Activists are concerned over an unfulfilled promise to put the needs of African front and center at COP27 (CNN News). Read more.
- Nations remain split on compensations for climate change impacts (Washington Post). Read more.
- Indigenous leader Diana Mori advocates for the inclusion of indigenous voices in climate action (Energy Monitor). Read more.
- Activists voice concerns over India’s climate-change policies (Al Jazeera). Read more.
- Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro returns to the international stage (The Guardian). Read more.
- The global PR firm handling external communications for COP27 is criticized for their role in the fossil fuel industry (Financial Times). Read more.