U.N.’s FAO to Release Global Food Systems’ Roadmap
The Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations will soon publish its first-ever global food systems’ roadmap during the upcoming COP28 session. The report is expected to recommend that nations “over-consume meat” limit their consumption in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The U.N. has been advocating for individuals to reduce meat consumption for years, as it has a significant impact on the environment.
FAO Emphasizes the Need for Innovative Solutions
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the FAO highlighted the critical need for an innovative plan and concrete solutions to transform agrifood systems. The Global Roadmap aims to demonstrate that accelerated climate actions can simultaneously address food security, nutrition challenges, and reduce emissions without breaching the 1.5 degrees threshold. The FAO is calling for sustainable and climate-friendly food options.
Food Vendors at COP28 Contradict Recommendations
Despite the forthcoming FAO report and the U.N.’s repeated calls to reduce meat consumption, approximately a third of the food vendors at COP28 continue to provide meat options. The summit claims that this figure represents a victory in their commitment to deliver environmentally sustainable and nutritious food. However, it contradicts the recommendations put forth by the upcoming FAO report.
COP28’s Efforts to Provide Plant-Based Options
In response to calls from climate activists, COP28’s president-designate, Sultan Al Jaber, pledged to ensure the availability of affordable, nutritious, and locally sourced plant-based food options with clear emissions labeling. COP28 considers food systems to be intrinsically linked to the fate of the natural world and aims to provide responsible and climate-conscious catering.
Criticism from Opponents of Meat Reduction
Critics have accused global elites of hypocrisy for advocating against meat consumption while meat options are available at COP28. Rep. Mike Flood, a member of the Congressional Beef Caucus, argues that meat is essential for feeding the world and that the U.N. and global elites are threatening food security and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) also criticized the U.N. and the upcoming FAO report, asserting that reducing meat consumption is misguided and would limit consumer choice and increase food prices. They argue that reducing beef consumption in the U.S. would not significantly impact climate change and would disproportionately affect consumers at risk of malnutrition.
The Impact of the Global Food System on Emissions
A study published in the Nature Food journal reveals that the global food system, including agriculture, generates approximately 18 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to 34% of global emissions. Livestock alone is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S., agriculture accounts for 10% of total emissions, but the sector has implemented various solutions to reduce its carbon footprint.
Beef cattle in the U.S. are responsible for just 2% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and less than 0.5% of the world’s emissions. This data challenges the notion that reducing meat consumption, particularly beef, will have a substantial impact on climate change.