Food system change on menu at Bonn

Earlier this week (6th June) we co-hosted an event at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, highlighting the crucial issue of our global food system’s devastating impact on climate change.

Called 'Unlocking the Potential of Alternative Proteins for Food Systems Transformation', the event considered the environmental benefits of alternative proteins, and the possibilities for ensuring food security for a growing world population.

Promoting alternative proteins as a solution

Speakers at the event – organised alongside ProVeg International, Good Food Institute and the Coller Foundation – also discussed the beneficial investment opportunities of this emerging food source. They included Liva Kaugure, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Lucas du Pré, from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Netherlands and Malte Klausen of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The UN Climate Change conference, which takes place from 5th to 15th June in Bonn, Germany, brings together government representatives, NGOs and other stakeholders with a view to paving the way for a successful climate conference – COP28 – in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Farming causing enormous environmental damage

Intensive animal agriculture is one of the largest global contributors to climate change. The livestock sector produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the direct emissions of all the world’s planes, trains and cars put together.

The Paris Agreement’s target of a minimum of 1.5 degrees global warming cannot be met without rethinking our global food system and, in particular, animal agriculture.

At COP27 in November 2022, we highlighted the urgent need to transform our food system to help meet climate targets by organising the Food4Climate pavilion, hosted along with partners including ProVeg International and Four Paws. Here we hosted events and debates, discussing how we can change the way we eat to ensure the survival of our planet and future generations, as well as prioritising the welfare of billions of animals.

Alternative future on the horizon

Our Global Manager of Food Systems Advocacy (Alternative Proteins), Andrea Perez, who is attending the Bonn Climate Change conference, says: “The world is waking up to the fact that we cannot meet climate targets, or ensure a sustainable future for people, planet and animals without changing the way we eat.

“Alternative proteins can help us meet the global desire for animal-sourced foods, but without the cruelty inflicted through intensive agriculture and the devastation it wreaks on our planet in the process.

“It is welcome news that the UN is acknowledging the role that food plays in climate change and beginning to put food systems on the agenda. We look forward to raising awareness of the importance of alternative proteins at Bonn and building connections to collectively forge a positive path towards a healthy future.”

Sign our END.IT petition calling for a global agreement to transform our food system.