The COP28 UAE Presidency has unveiled its Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda in a continued effort to finalize the COP28 Action Agenda ahead of this year’s climate conference. The Agenda is anchored in the ambition of urgently upgrading food systems to respond to climate impacts and keeping the 1.5C goal within reach.
Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment and COP28 Food Systems Lead, is rallying governments to demonstrate leadership by endorsing the inaugural Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action during the upcoming Food Systems Summit in Rome. The Declaration calls for national governments to harmonize their national food systems and agriculture strategies with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The initiative also applauds countries that prioritize food systems and agriculture in their climate agendas.
The COP28 Presidency plans to convene a diverse consortium of stakeholders in the food and agriculture sector to expedite existing initiatives across food systems, agriculture, and climate action. This collaboration aims to involve stakeholders at all stages of the agriculture process, from production and consumption to finance. A flagship initiative has been launched alongside to promote the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture in large food landscapes, which is backed by procurement and investment commitments.
In a joint session on Food Systems and Climate Action at the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri underscored the urgency of bolstering the resilience of climate-vulnerable farmers and curtailing food system-related emissions. She highlighted the dual potential of these efforts to realize the Paris Agreement and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Almheiri commented, “The COP28 Presidency’s commitment to prioritizing food systems demonstrates a dedication to address pressing global challenges. By mobilizing national leadership, engaging non-state actors, scaling innovation, and securing financing, COP28 aims to drive transformative change to secure a sustainable future for all.”
Food systems are of paramount importance to meeting societal needs and adapting to climate impacts. They are also responsible for a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to up to 33% of total emissions based on the latest data. Current practices also contribute to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and, in some instances, adverse health impacts.
The COP28 Presidency is promoting action to escalate food and agriculture innovation to drive both development and climate action. Working with partners, the Presidency will invest in a select number of high-impact innovations, focusing on smallholder and climate-vulnerable communities and producers.
To advance the Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, the COP28 Presidency will work alongside the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and a diverse group of partners, building on significant momentum and activities already in progress at the global, regional, and country levels. The Agenda underscores the essential role of food systems and agriculture within the Global Goal on Adaptation, also set for adoption at COP28.
This development follows the UAE Government’s recent commitments to accelerate action to reduce nationwide emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to a business-as-usual scenario. The COP28 Presidency is calling on all Parties to consider elevating their ambition through revised NDCs, by meeting historic commitments, and delivering what is needed at COP28.
