|
||
|
TWN
Info Service on Sustainable Agriculture City and Regional Governments Lead the Way on Real Food and Climate Action On the eve of COP28, food system experts urge governments to stop neglecting food systems in their climate pledges, and to pay attention to the pioneering missions-slashing efforts of cities and regions. *** Read the report and summary at: https://www.ipes-food.org/pages/platetoplanet *** 16 NOVEMBER, BRUSSELS – As national governments lag on urgent and far-reaching climate action, they need look no further than the pioneering strategies of their own cities and regions to transform food systems – according to a new report out today by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food). Governments will soon gather at COP28 (Dubai, November 30) for the first global review of progress towards the Paris Agreement, however, the UN has concluded that governments are way off course in limiting greenhouse gas emissions to reach the 1.5°C goal. And they are still ignoring a clear and proven pathway to slashing emissions: making our food systems more sustainable. The new report ‘From Plate To Planet’ finds weak and fragmented action at the national level, with food systems routinely overlooked in climate negotiations and national climate plans – despite food systems contributing one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. The picture is completely different, however, when we look to city and regional governments. The report unveils the efforts of dozens of leading cities and regions to reduce food miles, cut food waste, transform school canteens, and spark shifts to sustainable diets. The expert panel calls on national governments to take inspiration from local action and harness the emissions-cutting potential of transforming food systems. Olivier
De Schutter, co-chair of IPES-Food, said: “These policies are quietly working because local governments are addressing climate change with communities long-term together with other challenges that people care about, like healthy diets and supporting local businesses. “These are no longer just inspiring examples. Local governments are offering a blueprint for real people-centred climate action – and laggard national governments must start to follow.” In total, the emission cuts pledged by local and regional governments go 35% above and beyond those pledged by national governments, and these pledges are being translated into real and measurable actions, especially when it comes to food systems. Following a 3-year process of engagement with pioneering local authorities,[1] the report highlights a range of inspiring local food and climate action. IPES-Food calls on national governments to take the opportunity of the Paris Agreement stocktaking at COP28 to systematically include food systems and local action in their climate commitments. Further, it calls on governments to build on what cities are already doing – supporting local government actions with more funding and scaling out successful approaches to other cities and regions. De Schutter added: “It’s time for national governments to build on the pioneering work of local governments to transform food systems – drawing down emissions from plate to planet.” *** Inspiring examples of city and region action on food and climate From mega-cities like São Paulo and New York that are providing millions of healthy, sustainable meals per day in their schools and hospitals to Mouans-Sartoux, a town in France that has helped nearly 60% of residents shift to healthy and sustainable diets, the IPES-Food report showcases the actions of pioneering cities and regions.[2] These are drawn from signatories of the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration. New York City, USA
Kate MacKenzie, Food Policy Executive Director for the NYC Mayor’s Office said: “We are making significant strides in reducing emissions through serving less carbon-intensive foods. We hope the example of our increased plant-based food offerings – which are not only good for people but also lead to reductions in food waste and sustainable supply chains – can spur other leaders to enact new policies on food and climate change and join New York City in committing to reducing food-related emissions by 33% by 2030.” São Paulo, Brazil
Aline Cardoso, Secretary for Economic Development at the City of São Paulo, said: “Our food policies in the Department for Economic Development are very cross-cutting – acting on 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals – we are fighting poverty, hunger, inequality, and fostering a green economy.” Mouans-Sartoux, France
Gilles Pérole, Deputy Mayor of Mouans-Sartoux, Delegate for children, education and food, said: “Whether it’s for school meals or for local residents, our sustainable food policy that promotes organic produce, local agriculture, green food and reduced food waste has helped us cut the climate impact of food by 26%. If we decide, it’s possible!” *** Notes: [1] The Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration. [2] For more on the actions taken by these cities, see the full report and additional case studies *** Contact: Robbie Blake | Communications manager, IPES-Food | robbie.blake@ipes-food.org For more information about New York City – press contact: Charles Blackstone, CBlackstone@foodpolicy.nyc.gov For more information about São Paulo – press contact: Lucas Roberto Paredes Santos, lrpsantos@prefeitura.sp.gov.br For more information about Mouans-Sartoux – press contact: Thibaud Lalanne, mead@mouans-sartoux.net *** IPES-Food (The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems) is an independent, expert panel shaping debates on how to transition to sustainable food systems around the world | @ipesfood
|
||
