The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is gearing up to present a series of influential reports at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28. These reports will focus on advocating for a reduction in meat consumption in Western countries, including the United States, as a crucial step towards global sustainability.
Set to begin on November 30 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, COP28 will feature the FAO’s insights into the vital role of agrifood systems in fostering global sustainability.
The reports are poised to highlight the deep interconnection between climate and food crises, emphasising the necessity of investing in agrifood systems and rural development as effective responses to the challenges posed by climate change.
In a recent announcement, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the urgency of addressing the climate crisis’s impacts through strategic enhancements in the agrifood sector.
A key element of the FAO’s presentation at the COP28 climate summit will be the release of a document that recommends nations with high meat consumption levels to reduce their intake. This recommendation is positioned as a critical measure to lessen the impact of climate change.
The FAO’s stance is informed by its analysis that attributes one-third of greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change to the agrifood sector. This concern is heightened by the current global hunger situation, with an estimated 735 million people facing food scarcity.
The COP28 conference, which is scheduled to continue until December 10, is expected to serve as a crucial platform for discussing these pressing issues.
The FAO’s reports and recommendations are set to significantly influence the global conversation and policy decisions regarding sustainability, climate change, and consumption patterns, particularly in the context of the agri-food sector.
