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The urgency of fixing our failing power systems

2022-05-25T03:42:11.838Z


The impending food crisis caused by the increase in the cost of food reveals the need to solve the problems of the supply systems at a global level


Last September, the United Nations Food Systems Summit brought together key actors in food and agriculture to establish new commitments to improve food systems globally.

The five action tracks of the summit identified solutions to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, and ensure environmental sustainability in supply chains.

During the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Glasgow in November 2021, governments and companies had an ideal opportunity to act, but that opportunity was not seized.

In the remainder of the critical UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, which runs from 2016 to 2025, we must measure progress in months, not years.

At the COP26 climate negotiations, coal, cars, trees, cement, steel, and money continued to capture political and media attention, while the urgency of changing the way how we produce and consume our food.

This is extremely shortsighted, given that food systems are responsible for a third of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Even if all other sectors managed to cut emissions tomorrow, it would be impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees without major change in food systems.

Currently, they consume 70% of freshwater resources, cover 40% of the planet's unfrozen land, and are a primary factor in deforestation, the extinction of thousands of species, and the collapse of ecosystems.

At the same time, food systems are also failing to achieve their main goal: feeding the world's growing population.

Rapid increases in hunger and malnutrition figures, compounded by coronavirus disruptions and rising poverty rates, are undoing a decade of progress.

As a result, three billion people cannot afford a healthy and nutritious diet, and face the risk of disease or death.

Added to this is the widespread fear that the war in Ukraine will exacerbate food insecurity in developing countries.

Still, there is hope.

A food system based on sustainable production, respect for natural ecosystems, a circular economy and responsible management of land and resources throughout the value chain could improve human and planetary health, and boost employment and people's livelihood guarantees.

By rebuilding last year's momentum in reforming food systems, we could ensure that the UN Decade of Action achieves its goal: “eliminate malnutrition in all its forms, everywhere and leaving no one behind”. .

In addition, the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement would also be achieved, with respect to greenhouse gas emissions in the remaining crops from today to 2030.

The transformation will only be possible if we invest the time and resources necessary to comply with national and international commitments

This will not happen without political will and the support of business and civil society.

The transformation that we so urgently need will only be possible if we invest the time and resources necessary to meet national and international commitments.

Measures in food systems must become priorities within the determination of global policies on climate change in all discussion forums.

Among them, COP27 – to be held in Egypt in November this year – and each subsequent COP;

climate action agendas on methane and deforestation;

contributions under the Paris agreement;

recovery plans after the covid pandemic;

green infrastructure programs;

public health measures; and sustainable trade initiatives.

The high-level meetings that take place throughout 2022 present opportunities to consolidate these purposes.

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15), to be held in Kunming, China, should put the finishing touches on the new global framework on biodiversity, taking into account the challenges of food systems.

On the other hand, the G7, under the German presidency, could mobilize new financial commitments to tackle hunger and protect nature.

In addition, Indonesia's presidency of the G20 offers an opportunity for countries to step up their efforts towards food system resilience, fighting hunger and reducing waste.

Similarly, COP27 is also an occasion to highlight these problems.

For their part, companies must meet their commitments to reduce hunger and malnutrition, provide healthy food and tackle deforestation.

Multilateral development banks, international institutions, donors and philanthropists can increase funding for such initiatives if the need for healthy food produced using sustainable methods is established.

The World Trade Organization must also put this issue at the heart of its agenda.

As extreme weather events, economic insecurity, conflict and covid-19 continue to wreak havoc, we are witnessing the consequences of failing food systems.

These problems will only get worse if we don't act quickly.

However, a more sustainable future is possible, and the solutions are within our reach.

To make it a reality, the only thing missing is the political will to work now.

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli

is co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition, and one of the ambassadors at the Food and Land Use Coalition.

Oliver Camp

is a Senior Fellow of the Global Alliance for Better Nutrition.


Translated from English by

David Meléndez Tormen


Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2022.



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Source: elparis

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