A total of 134 world leaders have signed up to a landmark agriculture, food and climate action declaration with funding of more than $2.5bn on the second day of COP28.
The ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action’ addresses global emissions while also protecting the livelihoods of farmers who live on the frontlines of climate change.
It was announced by Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, Giorgia Meloni, Italian PM, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, PM of Samoa and Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
‘There is no path to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and keeping 1.5C within reach, that does not urgently address the interactions between food systems, agriculture, and climate,’ HE Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment and COP28 Food Systems Lead, said.
‘Countries must put food systems and agriculture at the heart of their climate ambitions, addressing both global emissions and protecting the lives and livelihoods of farmers living on the front line of climate change. Today’s commitment from countries around the world will help to build a global food system fit for the future.’
The 134 signatory countries to the Declaration are home to over 5.7 billion people and almost 500 million farmers, produce 70 per cent of the world’s food and are responsible for 76 per cent of all emissions from global food systems – or 25 per cent of total emissions globally.
The Declaration – the first of its kind for any Cop event – stresses the need for common action on climate change, which adversely affects those living in vulnerable countries and communities.
Endorsement will help in strengthening food systems, building resilience to climate change, reducing global emissions, and contributing to the global fight against hunger, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
‘Today signals a turning point, embedding sustainable agriculture and food systems as critical components in both dealing with climate change and building food systems fit for the future. Together we will deliver lasting change for families, farmers and the future,’ said HE Almheiri.
In order to part fund the Declaration the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched a $200 million partnership also focused on agricultural research.
Cop28 is also working with representatives from every stage of the food system and agriculture value chain, including farmers, businesses, and local governments to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture.
