Written by: Tanvee B.
In a landmark decision at the onset of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates, nearly 200 nations have come together to establish a fund aimed at assisting countries grappling with the effects of global warming.
The climate talks in Dubai are taking place at a critical juncture as global emissions continue to surge. The UN's announcement that 2023 is on track to be the hottest year in recorded history underscores the urgency for immediate action. An early victory at COP28 is the establishment of a "loss and damage" fund, a long-advocated measure by climate-vulnerable nations. The UAE and the European Union (EU) have committed initial amounts, but the total falls short of the $100 billion needed by developing nations to cope with the devastating effects of climate change. The UAE aims to spearhead an agreement to triple renewable energy capacity and double the annual pace of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. However, experts caution that building trust during the negotiations could be a formidable obstacle.
COP28, set to be the largest climate conference in history, will host over 140 heads of state and government, double the attendance from the previous COP27. The event will commence with Britain's King Charles III delivering an official ceremonial address.
FAO Director-General Calls for Urgent Action on Climate-Induced Food Insecurity at COP28
The ongoing climate crisis is significantly impacting the world's ability to produce sufficient food, according to a recent report. The multiple effects on water, soil, biodiversity, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events are contributing to heightened food insecurity globally. The diminished crop yields, decreased livestock productivity, and challenges faced by fisheries and aquaculture are key concerns highlighted in the report.
Amid these findings, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasized the crucial need for nations to ensure that the "loss and damage" fund, initiated on the first day of the UN Climate Change conference in Dubai, reaches agricultural communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Speaking at the COP28 Presidency's inaugural Leader's Event focused on food and agriculture, held at Expo City, the conference venue in Dubai, he stressed the urgency of addressing loss and damage in the agrifood system, given its significance for livelihoods and sustainable development.
The report underscores that, despite a rise in global climate finance, support for agrifood systems remains inadequate, comprising less than 20 percent of climate-related development finance in 2021. The FAO Director-General called for enabling policies to bridge the investment gap, ensuring that climate finance is increased and reaches those most in need, particularly smallholder farmers.
"We have to produce more with less. Agrifood systems must be transformed to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable to contribute effectively to food availability, accessibility, and affordability, and to achieve all the SDGs," emphasized the Director-General.
In a move to garner further support for climate action in agriculture, the FAO expressed its backing for the newly launched Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, endorsed by 134 countries. Launched during the World Climate Action Summit event, the declaration underscores the pivotal role of agriculture and food systems in addressing climate change.
The FAO's Director-General sees both the new FAO 1.5 °C Roadmap and the Emirates Declaration as pivotal in promoting climate action and achieving sustainable development goals. The FAO 1.5 °C Roadmap, to be presented later at COP28, outlines contributions nations can make to enhance climate resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and bolster food security.
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