5th October 2022 – Today, the programme for the first ever pavilion dedicated to food system change at UN Climate Summit COP27, has been announced. With keynote speakers, high level discussion panels, and themed days all aiming to address key issues on the environment through addressing key changes to food systems. 

Organised by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS and 15 other partners from around the world the pavilion will highlight the critical yet overlooked need to transform our global food system to tackle climate change. Science shows that climate targets will not be met without urgent food system change including a significant shift away from animal-sourced foods.

Sophie Aylmer, FOUR PAWS Head of Farm Animals & Nutrition Policy: "The programme for the Food4Climate pavilion is bringing together the world's leading scientists, policy makers and climate activists.

“For FOUR PAWS one of the most effective ways for climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques is transitioning to food systems that promote high welfare and environmental practices and changing towards more plant-based diets, especially in areas where animal-sourced food is consumed in excess."

Raphael Podselver, spokesperson for the coalition behind the Food4Climate Pavilion, said, “Through our programme of dedicated events, the Food4Climate Pavilion will significantly advance awareness among UN member states we cannot tackle the climate emergency without addressing food systems.

“It will be impossible to limit temperature rises and meet the Paris Agreement goals without addressing the impacts of our food systems. The Pavilion will make that clear to COP27 delegates so that they will feel equipped to return to their countries to formulate policies that encourage plant-rich diets.”

The global food system is currently responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) but animal-based foods emit twice as much CO2 as plant-based foods.

A just transition away from resource-intensive food systems towards more resilient, diverse systems will be crucial to reverse the climate crisis and adapt to extreme weather, whilst promoting inclusion, and equality, and improving food security and global health.

Olivier De Schutter, co-chair of Pavilion partner, IPES-Food, said that “without a rapid transformation towards sustainable food systems, it will be impossible to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C and prevent mass crop failures.

“The Food4Climate Pavilion will help put the healthy, diverse and resilient food systems we need on the agenda of COP27."

The Pavilion’s programme, revealed today on its new dedicated website, will include the following themed days:

• How science and policy-making interact to guide food system change
• The voice of young people on food systems and climate change
• Ensuring a just transition for farmers and farming communities
• Encouraging innovation in the field of protein diversification
• Adaptation and Agriculture Day: an official day set by the Egyptian Presidency
• Animal agriculture, its’ land use and emissions
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment in food systems
• Forests, indigenous peoples and local communities
• Loss and waste in food systems
• Healthy food for healthy futures: the plate and the planet
• Food security and how food systems can bolster supplies
  
   

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About the Food4Climate Pavilion partner organisations

The Food4Climate Pavilion - supported by FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation, alongside ProVeg International, Compassion in World Farming, Food Tank, FOUR PAWS, IPES Food, A Well-Fed World, and 16 other NGOs, think-tanks and commercial companies - Throughout COP27, delegates from nearly 200 UN member states will be able to attend daily talks and network with NGOs, the commercial industry, academic institutions and researchers at the Food4Climate Pavilion, which will be in the Blue Zone of COP27, taking place this year in Sharm El Sheikh from 6th-18th November.

Food4Climate Pavilion will aim to present plant-rich diets as a key mitigation and adaptation solution to the climate crisis at this year’s COP27 conference in Egypt in November. The Pavilion’s diverse stakeholders highlight the rich plurality of actors and factors shaping our food systems. With a strong focus on Just Transition, the programme will explore multiple perspectives and concrete ways to create inclusive mechanisms for leveraging the potential of plant-rich diets to make our food systems more sustainable and equitable.

Core organisers of the Food4Climate Pavilion: A Well-Fed World, Compassion in World Farming, Food Tank, FOUR PAWS, IPES Food, ProVeg International.

NGO partners are: 50by40, A Well-Fed World, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Center for Earth Ethics, Compassion in World Farming, Jeremy Coller Foundation, FOUR PAWS, Humane Society International, MENA Youth Network, ProVeg International, World Animal Protection, Youth Loves Egypt and YOUNGO.

Think tank partners are: Brighter Green, Food Tank, IPES Food

Food industry partners are: Enough, Impossible Foods, Oatly, Upfield