Agrifood systems solutions to shape climate agenda

Agrifood Systems bear a unique potential to create sustainable solutions, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is emphasising at the forefront of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023.

“The climate and food crises are inseparable. Investing in agrifood systems and rural areas creates the concrete solution to address the impacts of the climate crisis. At COP28, FAO will systematically highlight how agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action to the benefit of people, prosperity and the planet,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said. 

Key levers and cornerstones for successful agri-food systems transformation are identified in the latest edition of Rural 21, entitled Joining forces for agri-food systems transformation. 

Discussion and negotiations on COP28 are set to cover critical workstreams, aiming to make substantial progress on key issues. One is finalising the details of the loss and damage finance facility agreed to be established at COP27 to aid vulnerable communities at the forefront of the impacts – including farmers – in dealing with immediate climate impacts. Another imperative goal is advancing towards a global finance objective to support developing countries in their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Accelerating both an energy transition and a just transition, as well as addressing the emissions gap, are also critical areas that will be under consideration, among others.

COP28 will also see the conclusion of the first-ever global stocktake, a process done by countries and stakeholders to evaluate where the progress is stagnating (or not) towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. The process is to end with a decision which is expected to be leveraged to accelerate ambition in the next round of climate action plans (Nationally Determined Contributions) due in 2025.

(FAO/ile)

More information:

• Read more on the FAO website
• Rural 21, Issue 3/2023: Joining forces for agri-food systems transformation