A COMMITMENT TO TAKE ACTION BY 2025
An interview with Carbon Lead, Marcela Porto Costa
Food was a focus for the first time at this year’s COP, with global food and agriculture systems being examined and discussed like never before.
More than 130 countries signed the Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action. More than $2.5 billion is dedicated to this declaration, including a $200-million fund from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation looking specifically at agricultural research.
Signatories commit to taking action by 2025 to scale up and strengthen mechanisms for resilient food systems, with the goal of reducing environmental impacts and increasing security for those who work in the food system.
1. The Declaration has been signalled as a positive step. Do we know what it will mean in practice for sustainability managers in the food and ag sector?
The Declaration could mean a lot of practical changes. The Food & Ag sector will face more pressure to trace where their products are coming from and how sustainably they're produced. We already see stricter rules on sourcing and reporting sustainability metrics, for example EUDR.
a. Do you foresee any big new legislation or government policy being created on the back of this declaration?
The Declaration could be the starting gun for more discussions on new policies. But when and how those turn into actual laws will depend on each country's legislative processes, its political stance and how quickly it wants to get things moving.
b. Do you think it will have any impact on consumers over the next 12 months?
Imagine this: more sustainable goods on shelves, clearer information about how sustainable products are, maybe some adverts pushing for sustainable buying habits. But the reality is, getting people to buy more sustainable is hard and it’s going to take time.
2. At COP28, the UK government announced a ban on imported commodities linked to illegal deforestation, in a move similar to the anti-deforestation legislation brought in by the EU (EUDR). Do you think other developed countries will follow?
It feels like the trend is now set. The UK's move might just spark similar actions elsewhere. But copy-pasting that ban into other countries? That won’t work. It will depend on their unique situation and how much they want to tackle deforestation.
3. The final text, agreed nearly 24 hours of intense negotiations after the deadline, pledges a global transition away from fossil fuels for the first time. It calls for 'transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science'. Hailed by some as ‘historic’ and others as not going far enough. What is your view?
It's definitely a big deal that countries are finally saying, "we need to scrap fossil fuels." Some people are applauding, saying it's historic. Others are more negative, thinking it's not going far enough. Truth is, it's all about what countries do next—how fast they act on the declaration and what steps they take to reach those urgent climate goals.
4. What are the decisions and actions that were taken in Dubai this year that you are most optimistic about, in terms of their ability to make meaningful change in our global attempts to reach Net Zero?
There were a few standout decisions and actions that got me feeling optimistic about our chance at reaching Net Zero:
Global Fossil Fuel Transition Pledge: The commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels is a game-changer. It's like finally saying, "Okay, we've got to kick the fossil fuel habit." This pledge, if followed through with concrete actions, could seriously turbocharge our journey toward Net Zero.
Collaborative Tech Sharing: The push for countries to share technology and knowledge for renewable energy projects is huge. Think of it as a group project where everyone's sharing their best ideas to ace it together. This kind of collaboration can fast-track the adoption of cleaner energy sources globally.
Support for the Global South: I'm positive about the increased support for the Global South to tackle climate change. These nations often face bigger hurdles in making the green switch due to financial constraints. So, when richer countries support with technology or cash for renewable projects, it levels the playing field a bit and speeds up the race to Net Zero.
Advancements in Carbon Pricing: Anything that gets carbon pricing on the table gets a thumbs-up from me. It's like putting a price tag on pollution, making it costlier to emit carbon and nudging businesses toward cleaner practices. If more countries are getting serious about this, it's a promising step toward curbing emissions.
5. How can TRACT help sustainability managers and their companies work within the new directions coming out of COP28?
Our aim is for TRACT to be an enabler for sustainability managers. This might include providing updated insights, tools for tracking and reporting sustainability metrics, guidance on aligning strategies with emerging regulations, or facilitating collaborations within the industry to implement sustainable practices effectively.