The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, continued to mobilize the necessary financing to address the impacts of climate change and keep the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach.
On the “Food, Agriculture, and Water” day of COP28, key climate action announcements were made on global food and water security and emissions reductions. Countries reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the goals of the COP28 Declaration on Climate-Resilient Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action.
Maryam Al Muhairi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and COP28 lead on food systems, said that achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and keeping the possibility of avoiding a 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise within reach requires addressing the interconnectedness of global food and water systems.
She noted that COP28 laid the groundwork for action that commits 152 countries to the comprehensive transformation of their food systems and to integrating those commitments into their climate strategies, while ensuring the improvement and protection of the livelihoods of communities that rely on food and agriculture sectors. She also stressed the need to leverage this critical juncture to strengthen collaboration to build a sustainable food system for the future.
The day dedicated to food, agriculture, and water was the last of the specialized topics program that ran for two weeks. The announcements made represented an extension of the Global Climate Action Summit on December 1, when 134 countries endorsed the UAE’s COP28 Declaration on Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action. The number of signatories increased by 18 more countries, bringing the total number of countries to 152.
In line with the conference’s inclusive approach, many non-governmental stakeholders, small-scale farmers, traditional agriculturalists, fishers, and communities that are working at the forefront of food system transformation, using sustainable practices such as ecological agriculture, agroforestry, organic agriculture, traditional agriculture, and local freshwater management, among others, participated in the day’s events. Private sector leaders also showcased their work in the areas of food innovation, climate-friendly nature, and procurement.
According to a statement from the COP28 presidency, the value of new financial resources that were raised and incentivized at COP28 to develop food systems is over $7.1 billion. These include:
• Joint Technical Cooperation: $200 million
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with the United Arab Emirates: $200 million
• International Food Policy Research Institute: $519 million
• Regenerative Natural Areas: $2.2 billion
• Philanthropic organizations: $389 million
• Climate-Smart Agriculture Mission: $3.4 billion
These resources will be used to support a wide range of initiatives to transform food systems, including:
• Investing in sustainable agriculture practices that reduce emissions and improve resilience to climate change
• Promoting healthy diets and sustainable food consumption
• Supporting the development of sustainable food value chains
• Building resilience to climate-related shocks and stresses
The mobilization of these resources is a significant step forward in the efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient food system. It is a testament to the commitment of countries, organizations, and individuals around the world to addressing the climate crisis and ensuring a just and equitable future for all.
