Strengthening the environmental dimension of food systems in UNEA-6 resolutions: Guidance for negotiators
The global food crisis impacts food security, biodiversity, and pollution. Urgent action is needed to transform food systems towards sustainability, aligning with SDGs and international agreements. Recommendations call for integrating food systems into environmental policies globally.
The global food crisis poses significant challenges to sustainable consumption and production. With adverse impacts on agriculture, food systems, and environmental sustainability, urgent action is imperative. Our resource addresses these challenges by providing recommendations aimed at transforming food systems towards sustainability.
Recognizing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, our resource emphasizes the need for systemic change in food production and consumption patterns. By highlighting the adverse impacts of food systems on global food security, nutrition, livelihoods, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, and pollution, it underscores the urgency of shifting towards more sustainable practices.
The recommendations outlined in our resource are aligned with international resolutions and decisions, such as the UNEA-4 Ministerial Declaration, which promotes sustainable food systems and encourages the implementation of resilient agricultural practices. These recommendations aim to strengthen the mandate of UNEP in supporting sustainable food systems and enhancing scientific evidence on the benefits of integrated approaches.
Moreover, our resource calls upon UN Member States to integrate food systems considerations into environmental policies and incorporate environmental targets into food and agriculture policies at both international and national levels. By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, these recommendations pave the way for a holistic approach to addressing the environmental impacts of agriculture and food systems.
In summary, our resource supports the shift to sustainable consumption and production by advocating for transformative changes in food systems, promoting resilience, reducing waste and energy use, and aligning policies with global sustainability goals. Through collaboration and concerted efforts at all levels, we can build a more sustainable future for generations to come.
