For the first time ever, the United Nations will host a food-centric climate event during the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP27).
The Food4Climate Pavilion is organised by the sustainable food non-profit ProVeg International. Located in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the Food4Climate Pavilion will feature 17 additional partners and educate guests on how sustainable food is the most effective method to combat climate change. Spanning 130sqm, the pavilion will provide necessary information to nearly 200 country delegations attending the conference as the event highlights dangerous and worsening environmental changes that will become irreversible if global temperatures rise above 1.5º Celsius above pre-industrial levels. ProVeg hopes to engage policymakers from around the world, offering primary tools and education to address the challenges posed by agriculture, encourage countries to embrace solutions and enact food-centric policies.
COP26 faced backlash for ‘greenwashing’ from activists, referring to governments and major industry players hiding environmental damages from the public. The event faced significant criticism for serving meat at all events and having guests fly in on private jets.
COP27 is offering predominantly plant-based options for delegates and reducing the amount of animal-sourced proteins.
Last April, the United Nations published the third instalment of its IPCC report, claiming that three major steps must happen to stop climate change: using less carbon-based energy, removing CO2 from the atmosphere, and eating plant-based. The UN researchers claimed that the world must slash methane emissions by 33 percent by 2030, pointing the finger at the beef and dairy industries.
COP27 is to be held November 2 - 18, 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
