Food policy brings visionaries & enablers together at COP23
The 23rd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 23) is the first time that the Nordic Council of Ministers has a placed significant focus on food as a part of the global climate debate.
Climate-related challenges are well understood. The major focus of the annual COP is to look at relevant and innovative solutions that comply with the Paris Agreement, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before 2030.
The Nordic countries do not have all the answers. But, we do have longstanding experience in developing knowledge-based recommendations that, to a high degree, the market and consumers are complying to.
Business as usual is no longer an option
Food production and consumption have a large impact on our climate. In fact, the global food system contributes nearly one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions, making food policy a clear starting point. But at the same time, our food system is also seriously affected by climate change, posing further constraints to the sustainable production of food.
The global food system, directly and indirectly, is connected to each one of the SDGs, making food a key driver of sustainable development.
Dagfinn Høybråten, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, says that "the Nordic countries do not have all the answers. But, we do have longstanding experience in developing knowledge-based recommendations that, to a high degree, the market and consumers are complying to. We also have an appetite – and a mandate from all of the Nordic prime ministers – to engage in these important international discussions on how to create a better future for our planet. Non-action is unacceptable.”
Dreamers, visionaries and enablers around the table
The need for new and smart solutions has been the main driver behind the Nordic Food Policy Lab (NFPL), one of six flagship initiatives launched by the five prime ministers of the Nordic countries in 2017. NFPL is the driving force behind Nordic Food Day.
Nordic Food Day – with a morning talk, three thematic sessions, and an afternoon session – curates an interactive space where dreamers, visionaries and enablers from around the world will share ideas, experiences and perspectives on the dynamic topic of food policy and its effects on the greater food system.
Rather than focusing on the multitude of challenges that we face, we have decided to have a positive and hopeful outlook on the future of the global food system.
Nordic Food Day at COP23 will bring some of the world’s most prominent dreamers, visionaries and enablers to the table by inviting them to share their inspiration with the world. These leaders include Dr. Gunhild Stordalen, President and Founder, EAT Foundation // Ms. Maria Haga, Executive Director, Crop Trust // Ms. Ann Tutwiler, Director General, Bioversity International // Mr. Marc Sadler, Practice Manager, Climate Funds Management, World Bank // Ms. Selina Juul, Food waste activist and Founder, Stop Spild af Mad (Stop Wasting Food) // Mr. Martial Bernoux, Natural Resource Officer, FAO // Mr. Dagfinn Høybråten, Secretary General, Nordic Council of Ministers // Ms. Melina Shannon-diPietro, Managing Director, MAD // Dr. Afton Halloran, Sustainable Food Systems Consultant.
During Nordic Food Day on 9 November, Mr. Dan Saladino, BBC Food Programme Journalist and Producer, will guide us through different top-down and bottom-up approaches to food policy from around the world.
We are pleased to co-organise the following sessions with EAT Foundation: Morning Talk: Food Can Fix It! // Food Policies on the Menu // Eat What's Worth Saving
- Programme and line-up Nordic Food Day at COP23 (www.norden.org)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP 23 (cop23.unfccc.int)
