The United Nations' COP28 climate summit is poised to commence in Dubai this Thursday, where global leaders will convene for a fortnight to deliberate on strategies for mitigating environmental threats posed by human activities.
A key highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of a roadmap by the UN's Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) that outlines a transition towards sustainable global food systems by 2050. The proposal advocates for a reduction in meat consumption in Western countries, citing excessive greenhouse gas emissions as a primary concern.
This roadmap was commissioned by an influential coalition of investors, worth $18 trillion, spearheaded by Jeremy Coller's Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return (FAIR) initiative. The initiative aims to "raise awareness of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities in the global food sector."
Jeremy Coller acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead when the FAO's Zitouni Ould-Dada announced the plan last year. He stated, "It's a huge challenge, and investors will be looking for the roadmap to include clear guidance on methane emission limits, halting deforestation, scaling up alternative protein production, and support to ensure a just transition for farmers."
As reported by Fox News, Coller recently criticized major meat and dairy companies for their "failure ... to reduce emissions," emphasizing the "urgent need for more policy focus on the food and agriculture sector."
He further argued that "Food system emissions deserve a place at the top of the table, alongside energy and transport, as they represent an estimated third of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of methane." He expressed hope that the inaugural publication of a food and agriculture roadmap at COP28 would act as a catalyst for the transition to a 1.5 degrees and a more sustainable food system.
A study published in Nature Food in March 2021 revealed that the cultivation, processing, and packaging of the world's food, along with the disposal of its waste, contribute to 34 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, releasing approximately 18 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually.
In light of these findings, the UN and other intergovernmental organizations have been advocating for a reduction in meat consumption, promoting alternatives that they argue will inflict less damage on the environment.
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