In a significant move, the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) is set to release a global food systems’ road map during the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The road map will urge the West, including the United States, to drastically reduce its meat consumption as part of a broader effort to combat greenhouse gas emissions. The FAO’s first-of-its-kind document aims to address the urgent need for more policy focus on the food and agriculture sector, which contributes an estimated third of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of methane.
The FAO’s recommendations, although not binding, will emphasize the importance of reducing meat consumption, adapting to erratic weather patterns, and tackling emissions from food waste and the use of fertilizers. The United States’ COP28 delegation may choose to endorse these guidelines. The road map aims to guide policy on lowering the climate impact of the global agriculture industry, an area that has not received significant attention in past UN climate conferences. Previous COP summits have primarily focused on emissions from power, transportation, and manufacturing sectors.
According to a study published in the Nature Food journal, the global food system generates approximately 18 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, accounting for 34% of total worldwide emissions. Livestock alone is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The UN has long advocated for a shift towards plant-based diets, which can significantly reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 2.1 tons per year.
While the US agriculture sector contributes about 10% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, it is also the nation’s lowest-emitting economic sector, accounting for just 1.4% of global emissions. American farmers and ranchers have implemented various solutions to reduce emissions while ensuring abundant and affordable food, fiber, and fuel production. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson praised the efforts of American farmers and ranchers, emphasizing their role as climate heroes.
However, some members of Congress have expressed concern over the potential impact of regulations on American producers. They argue that regulating US producers out of business may not effectively address global climate change and could lead to increased emissions from foreign countries with less stringent regulations. These lawmakers stress the importance of maintaining American food security and affordability, asserting that the world needs American farmers and ranchers.
In May, House Republicans, including Thompson, criticized President Biden’s special climate envoy John Kerry for singling out food emissions. Kerry’s comments, made during the Department of Agriculture’s AIM for Climate Summit, highlighted agriculture’s contribution of about 33% of global emissions. The lawmakers called on President Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to disavow Kerry’s remarks.
The FAO and Kerry’s office have not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
As the FAO prepares to release its road map at the COP28 summit, the call for a reduction in meat consumption and sustainable agriculture practices is gaining attention. The global community awaits the outcome of this crucial initiative, which could have far-reaching implications for addressing climate change and promoting a more sustainable food system.
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