Summary
People have a fundamental right to define their food and agricultural policies; however, existing decision-making processes do not provide the appropriate platform for citizens to exercise this right. As agriculture is the primary livelihood for billions around the world, climate change is a tremendous threat to food security and incomes. Fighting climate change and its associated injustices requires transparency from policymakers and active forms of citizenship. Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) & Civil Society Day encouraged this networking and the development of multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure that civil society’s perspectives are meaningfully integrated in climate action and policy response.
Fossil fuels remain the dominant source of energy in agriculture; yet, fossil fuels are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Over-reliance on this energy resource will negatively impact producer yields and consumer costs. Technological developments could instead increase the energy efficiency of agriculture and reduce this reliance on fossil resources. Energy Day explored opportunities for achieving global sustainability via just transition in the energy sector.
Highlights
Pavilion events focused on collaboration, inclusivity, empowerment and justice in climate action, as well as energy. Throughout the day, pavilion co-hosts and partners:
- Discussed results from the Platform for Climate Action in Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean (PLACA), highlighting the importance of this regional collaborative mechanism in supporting ministries of agriculture to achieve climate commitments for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Learn more.
- Highlighted country experiences and needs in planning, financing and implementing climate solutions through systems-thinking for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). Discussions emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, with examples from Africa. Learn more.
- Showcased how smallholder farmers lead the way to scale climate solutions through the Fairtrade system. This system facilitates the implementation of environmental requirements, especially measures that enable decarbonization in certified commodities. Learn more.
- Shared perspectives on integrated resource planning and management for sustainable climate-resilient development, focusing on the food, energy and water nexus. Learn more.
- Launched an inclusive process for the elaboration and validation of the Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Framework and its 10-year Plan of Action. The framework aims to streamline implementation and strengthen coordination of climate-smart agriculture actions. Learn more.
- Explored just agricultural transformation in the UNFCCC and beyond, debating ways to strengthen the focus on justice for vulnerable farmers, for instance in the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture. Learn more.
Alongside the events, pavilion co-hosts met with high-level partners and stakeholders, including the co-chairs of IPCC Working Groups I, II and III.
Reel of the day
Videos and photos
Watch recordings and see photos from the events on November 15. You can also visit the COP27 Food and Agriculture Pavilion YouTube playlist to see all recordings from the Pavilion.
Beyond the Pavilion
COP27 news
- If COP 27 ignores farmers, global food security will suffer (Devex). Read more.
- ACE and Civil Society Day recognized and advanced crucial and valuable climate action activities. Read more.
- Launch of the Africa Just and Affordable Energy Transition Initiative (AJAETI), which aims to build a modern, resilient, and sustainable energy system across Africa. Read more.
- Delegates and negotiators continue to work towards agreements (US News); Brazilian president delivers speech and meets with EU climate policy chief (New Scientist); Call for strong climate action on Biodiversity Day (Reuters). Read more here, here, and here.
- Progress on matters relating to finance, mitigation, and the global goal on adaptation; Guidance on the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Green Climate Fund (GCF) (IISD). Read more.
- Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announces renewed Brazilian focus on Amazon rainforest preservation and the fight against global warming (Reuters). Read more here and here.
- N. nature summit promises to perpetuate COP27-driven momentum around climate reform (Reuters). Read more.
- Australian climate change minister leads negotiations over how to fund climate financing for poor and vulnerable countries (Guardian). Read more.
- Demands to lower meat consumption and enact policies that encourage a transition to cell-based meat (Reuters). Read more.
- Activists disrupt Russian event (Guardian, Reuters). Read more here and here.
- Anticipation for an announcement of extension of marine protection zone in the Red Sea. Read more.
- India draws support for phasing down all fossil fuels (Financial Times). Read more.
