It’s time to start packing and leave the Bonn Climate Conference behind! Let’s look back at 10 days of climate and food systems talks.
From June 3 until June 13, we attended the 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. During this crucial mid-year conference, which sets the stage for the 29th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, we had the pleasure of meeting and working with a very knowledgeable Food and Agriculture family!
During the conference, we closely followed the negotiations of the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture and Food Security (SSJW) and the discussions about finance flows towards food systems transformation and the integration of healthy, resilient, and equitable food systems in national climate plans, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). It was a lot to get into, and this would not have been possible without the support from the amazing YOUNGO community and the Food & Climate Action group! Additionally, we joined the Plant Based Treaty as scientific advisors to help advocate for a swift transition towards a food system that is socially just for all and stays within the boundaries of our planet.
During the conference, we had the opportunity to engage with country delegates and Civil Society Organizations from across the globe. Our discussions revolved around the role of Food Systems in Climate Mitigation and Nature Restoration. We underscored the need to adapt our global and local food systems to ensure food security in the face of climate change. We also highlighted the significance of pioneering countries and cities that are advocating for a global treaty to accelerate and safeguard a just transition. We take pride in the fact that several countries and cities have initiated the process of national or city endorsement, following the lead of cities such as Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Kyotera (Uganda), Edinburgh (United Kingdom), Didim (Turkey), Rajkot (India), Los Angeles (USA), and many others.
While the overall outcome of SB60 was not as we had hoped, there was a significant breakthrough with SSJW. After 18 months of intense negotiations, parties agreed on a comprehensive work plan, including workshops that address Food Systems and Food Security. This marks a crucial step in integrating climate action with agriculture and food security initiatives under the UNFCCC framework. It is a big achievement, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Let’s meet again at COP29 in Baku!
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UN Climate Change, ProVeg International, Mercy For Animals, World Animal Protection, FOUR PAWS, Marc-Antoine Malacquis, Humane Society International, Changing Markets Foundation, TAPP Coalitie, World Federation for Animals.










