Summary
Climate change, agriculture, and food systems are inextricably linked, and as a result, development challenges for each of these issues are connected to and impact on the others. This interconnectedness was evident throughout conversations and events at the Pavilion on Day 6, as energy, industry, just transitions, and indigenous peoples were highlighted as the themes for the day at COP28. From industrial food systems, to livestock emissions and diet considerations, to testing and scaling low-emission food system technologies, event attendees heard a wide variety of perspectives as we collectively work to identify solutions that work across different contexts.
Support to countries as they work to meet their national and global climate commitments also received a great deal of attention, with the launch of a new tool and a presentation on how gaps in the path to achieving these critical goals can be bridged.
Highlights
The diverse and important themes of the day brought an equally diverse and engaging set of events to the Pavilion:
- The Rockefeller Foundation hosted an event that highlighted findings and recommendations from a new report on industrial food systems and featured a panel discussion on opportunities for action. Learn more.
- IFAD held an event that showcased how national programs like the Nexus of Water, Food & Energy (NWFE) can bridge the financial and collaboration gaps to achieve common national and global climate commitments. Learn more.
- FAO organized an event that explored how, despite increasing interest in and the pressing need for agricultural sector innovation and transformation, challenges persist in scaling low-emission solutions for resilient agriculture due to limited incentives and investments for farmers. Learn more.
- CGIAR convened an event that described different approaches to reducing livestock emissions in high-, middle-, and low-income countries, as well as emerging technologies and their limitations. During the discussion, livestock value chain actors shared good practices for reducing emissions while improving the health of land and livestock and adapting to climate change. Learn more.
- CGIAR hosted with BMZ a high-level event that officially launched the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) guidance tool on agriculture and food systems. The tool offers guidance for policymakers and practitioners to support the implementation of policies, governance, and on-the-ground measures that enable systemic shifts in agriculture and food systems to meet NDC targets and enhance GHG mitigation in the food sector. Learn more.
- CGIAR hosted an event that discussed the linkages among climate, water, and food and nutrition security, describing the cause for growing water safety challenges, and understanding the vulnerabilities of water along food supply chains, from farm to fork. The conversation also delved into innovative solutions and learnings from CGIAR research, to foster new ideas and adaptations toward resilient food systems in a climate crisis. Learn more.
- CGIAR held a session on how existing mechanisms to support countries in implementing their NDCs while also meeting their sustainable development commitments can include non-market approaches. Discussion centered on how integrated, holistic, and balanced approaches could look on the ground, focusing on the experience in countries in the Global South. Learn more.
Videos and photos
Watch recordings and see photos from the Pavilion on December 5. You can also visit the COP28 Food and Agriculture Pavilion YouTube playlist to see all recordings from the Pavilion.
Beyond the Pavilion
COP28 news
- A coalition of NGOs are calling on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to ensure agriculture and food become part of the global stocktake text. In a letter address to the UNFCCC, signatories write “We note with significant concern the omission of agriculture and food systems from the draft text released this morning. […] To be clear: the global stocktake cannot deliver its mandate and build a resilient, equitable future for all without considering food systems as a solution for both mitigation and adaptation” (The Guardian). Read more here.
- Six of the world’s largest dairy companies will soon begin disclosing their methane emissions as part of a new global alliance launched today (Reuters). Read more here.
- Environment ministers from Germany, Colombia and Grenada, along with high-level representatives from the UNFCCC and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), have led an open letter calling for the inclusion of nature-based solutions in the global stocktake outcome (Nature4Climate). Read more here and here.
- More than 60 signatories have signed the Global Cooling Pledge, a joint initiative between the United Arab Emirates and the UN Environment Programme’s Cool Coalition to reduce the climate impacts of the cooling sector (UNEP, COP28). Read more here and here.
- The UK will invest US$7.1 million for solar powered irrigation and 100 electric buses in Kenya (UK gov). Read more here.
