Our food system must change to reduce the impact of climate change
10 years on from the Paris climate agreement, COP30 is taking place in Brazil - what's changed?
World leaders, scientists, NGOs, and civil society gather this month in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30). Hosted in the Amazon region, the summit focuses on defining urgent global climate priorities.
This COP marks 10 years since the Paris Agreement, in which nations pledged to restrict global warming to 1.5°C. Already, we have temporarily exceeded this threshold, underscoring the need for urgent action to stabilise our climate.
Talks are likely to focus on deforestation
The climate emergency is now undeniable. From Jamaica to Spain, communities are already experiencing severe impacts of global warming. Yet current national climate commitments remain insufficient to meet the 1.5°C target.
Central to this year’s talks will be transitioning away from fossil fuels towards renewables, and funds to help countries tackle climate change. The climate impacts of deforestation, poignant with the COP’s location in the Amazon, will also be on the table.
A third of greenhouse gas emissions are linked to our food
The UN says about a third of all greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food production. Growth, processing, transportation, distribution, preparation, consumption and disposal all contribute to this. Without significant changes to our food system, emissions from these activities will continue to rise - potentially by 40% by 2050.
Food and farming are the biggest drivers of deforestation
The clearing of land for agriculture and grazing is the biggest driver of deforestation. Food systems in countries like the UK depend on soya grown on cleared land in Brazil, which is imported in vast quantities every year to feed our intensive chicken industry. One billion birds are farmed every year in the UK to produce the nation’s most popular meat. Soya feed supports the birds’ rapid growth - with grisly welfare implications.
UPFs are a hidden driver of deforestation
Ultra-processed food (UPF) production inflicts severe damage on forests and ecosystems. The farming of key UPF ingredients like palm oil drives deforestation through rapid land-clearing. Forests are cut down or burned to feed our insatiable appetite for ultra-processed foods.
In tropical regions like Borneo, farmers frequently employ "slash and burn" techniques that destroy forests and sometimes set the peat-rich soils beneath them alight. This releases huge amounts of stored carbon, amplifying the climate impact of UPFs even further.
Food system transformation must be firmly on the agenda
"Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems" is one of six themes in the COP30 Action Agenda. Businesses, policymakers, and groups will meet at special events to agree on shared commitments to accelerate climate action.
Deforestation will likely dominate COP30 talks, but food system change must be on the agenda. Both reducing emissions (mitigation) and adapting to climate impacts are essential.
COP30 is an opportunity for the UK to show leadership
Earlier this year, we welcomed the UK’s commitment in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement. We agreed to “deliver a sustainable food system, ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious and healthier food".
This gives us a great opportunity to show leadership - at home and abroad.
Agroecology is the solution
Climate-resilient, nutritious food production is the backbone of a thriving food system. It’s vital that agroecology, including organic farming, shines through as a solution to food systems challenges.
Commitments must include action on nitrogen
Farming is falling short of its transition towards net zero. Our use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser must be dramatically reduced. Our food system has come to depend on it to increase yields, but this leads to run-off and polluted air and water.
Nitrous oxide gets little attention compared to carbon and methane, but it has 273 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. This is an astonishing statistic. Weaning ourselves off the production and use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser must be on the table.
Organic offers a solution. Shifting to organic farming means producers no longer rely on synthetic fertiliser inputs. Organic methods are also more resilient to price shocks and availability - a win-win.
The Soil Association is championing many of the solutions to the climate crisis
The Soil Association empowers farmers to adopt resilient agroecological practices. This includes agroforestry - integrating trees into farm systems - which sequesters carbon while boosting biodiversity and soil health.
Through programmes like Cool Food Pro, we've supported over 1,000 caterers since 2021 in reducing their environmental impact.
Crucially, Soil Association Certification actively preserves threatened forest ecosystems. We partner with local communities all over the world to halt destructive deforestation while supporting businesses to be more responsible.
