An expert has lauded the elevation of agri-food systems to the centre of discussions at the just-concluded climate talks.
Nancy Rapando, Africa's food systems lead at the World Wide Fund for Nature, said food systems have been impacted by climate change.
“Food systems are continuously gaining momentum in the COP space. We thought this year it could not have such a level of momentum,” Rapando said.
“There is a need to connect the food, nature, and climate narratives, looking at how climate is impacting food and, as a result, how nature is affected.”
Rapando said the attention the food systems are getting will help build food security and natural resources such as water and land, which are required for food production.
Her institution has been looking at how food is affecting nature.
“When you go to a country like Kenya, we know that as we expand food production systems, even in Africa as a whole, we are actually impacting biodiversity through deforestation. Crop expansion is actually getting into some of the conservation areas,” Rapando said
She said countries such as Kenya have a lot of agro-chemical use in the horticulture sector, which depends on water, and some of the rivers are within or flowing into conservation areas.
“The reason why we are here [at COP28] is that, as we are pushed by climate, we do not need to be pushed into the natural habitat,” Rapando said.
COP28’s Food, Agriculture and Water Day saw key announcements on global water scarcity and food security, as countries mobilised behind the COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food Systems and Climate Action, now endorsed by 152 countries, and the Water Action Agenda.
Rapando said that as countries invest in food, there is a need to protect nature.
She said they are looking at agro-ecological transition, and East Africa is doing well in terms of policies.
Rapando said it is possible to reduce the use of many chemicals and the need for circular systems to avoid more expansions.
She says her organisation has done a report on Africa's ecological food future that seeks to put the continent on the best pathway.
“When we are looking at agro-ecology. It is about building our food system as a country so that we are not dependent on external systems. We are also looking at synergies between farmland and forests,” she said.
Rapando said the report aims to inform investors, including major financial institutions, that agricultural investments need to build nature rather than impact it.
She said that there is a need to put more resources into adaptation, as more money is pledged but goes towards mitigation.
During COP28, the presidency elevated agri-food systems to the centre of discussions.
The Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, signed by over 130 leaders, was said to be a turning point.