15/11/2021

COP26: Outcomes relevant to food, land & agriculture

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) took place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow. Even though food systems and agriculture were not so prominently featured on the agenda and were discussed together as part of the “Nature Day”, there are several outcomes touching on food, land and agriculture.

Early on in the COP, over 140 countries signed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use promising to halt deforestation and land degradation by 2030. However, it has been criticised that the promises were very similar to those made in previous declarations.

Agricultural issues are being discussed under the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA) which covers a range of topics such as soil, livestock, nutrient and water management, food security, the socioeconomic impacts of climate change across agriculture and methods for assessing climate change. For the first time, a reference to agroecology was mentioned in the draft. However, discussions will continue 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh since no final decision has been reached.

Furthermore, the Global Methane Pledge, a US- and EU-led initiative was launched at this year’s COP. Over 100 countries pledged to reduce their methane emissions, by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Besides the energy sector, the focus should also lie on the industrial livestock sector to contribute to emission reductions of this potent greenhouse gas.

If you want to find out more about the COP26 in Glasgow read IFOAM Organics International’s article.

For more information on climate change and IFOAM Organics Europe’s work on this issue, please contact [email protected]. IFOAM Organics Europe members can find more information on the member extranet and background materials in the arguments database on the member extranet (main messages, arguments/FAQs, visuals & videos).

For information about what you can gain from being a member, read our membership page and contact [email protected].

 
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