The ways we produce and consume food and use our land cost $12 trillion a year in damage to people and the planet. If we do nothing, this will amount to $16 trillion a year by 2050.
Climate change, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine have pushed food, fuel, and fertilizer prices to historic highs. These crises, coupled with supply-chain disruptions, have created a perfect storm that has exposed inefficiencies and flaws within value chains. We need to transform how food is produced, distributed, marketed and consumed globally to sustainably nourish people without destroying the planet.
New visions are needed for how food systems operate to make value chains more diverse, inclusive, and economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. Business as usual is not an option. Sustainable food systems can underpin strong long-term resilience, economic recovery (including job creation and tackling unsustainable debt levels), public health, food safety, climate action, nature protection and animal welfare.
On 17th November a diverse range of actors will explore how we can deliver sustainable and inclusive value chains and what this means for farmers, ranchers and eaters. We will discuss how to drive partnerships, equitable investments and solutions at each part of the value chain.
Reflecting on commitments made at COP26 from governments and businesses on ending and halting deforestation, and investing in sustainable supply chains, sessions will highlight what needs to happen to drive action on the ground at COP27 and onwards to COP28.