Content
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- About this toolkit
- Why does this matter?
- Join our advocacy efforts
- Discover the key opportunities
- Download and share our social media assets
- Engage at COP28: nutrition-related events
- Explore our partners' materials
Background
Climate change is jeopardizing food supplies of people all around the world.
Floods, worse air pollution, earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires are destroying staple food crops, heavily affecting food and nutrition security.
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
COP28 stands as a key moment to affirm that nutritional security and climate resilience are inextricably linked, emphasizing the need for nutrition-sensitive climate action. It is a chance to influence the climate agenda to not only consider but actively prioritize nutrition as a core element of climate-smart policies and practices.
This toolkit aims to:
- Clarify the interlinkages and interdependence between climate change and nutrition,
- Make the case for the incorporation of nutrition in the COP28 advocacy efforts,
- Make the case for incorporating the links between nutrition and climate change into the agendas of SUN Partners and stakeholders.
Why does it matter?
➡️ Climate change significantly threatens food and nutrition security, particularly impacting low-income countries and vulnerable groups. Unpredictable weather, including droughts and floods, disrupts the entire food supply chain, reducing food accessibility and availability.
➡️ Climate shocks and increased temperatures harm food production systems, affecting livelihoods and consumer access to quality food. By the end of this decade, climate shocks alone could push 132 million people into extreme poverty. In 2022, millions were displaced due to climate-related events like floods and droughts in various regions.
➡️ The intersection of climate change and nutrition is crucial. Climate change affects not only greenhouse gas emissions from food systems but also the nutrient content in food and the cost of fresh produce. It is projected that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will cause 250,000 additional deaths annually (source: WHO) and increase the number of undernourished children by 25 million (source: IFPRI). Child stunting rates could rise dramatically, for instance, a 2°C temperature increase in West Africa is expected to increase stunting prevalence by 7.4%. Rising temperatures also link to increased risks of preterm births and low birth weight.
➡️ Climate change also exacerbates the risk of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases. Elevated CO2 levels could lead to 175 million more people being zinc deficient and over 1 billion women and children losing significant dietary iron, increasing the risk of anaemia. Food systems, responsible for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, are significantly impacted by dietary habits. Around one-third of food produced is lost or wasted, contributing to 8-10% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
What will be our key actions and strategies before and during COP?
➡️ Engagement with Key Entities - COP Presidency, UNFCCC, member states, civil society, and non-state actors to strengthen the nexus between climate and nutrition.
➡️ Emphasizing the vital connection between climate change and nutrition, and showcasing programmatic initiatives that successfully address both.
➡️ Actively engaging with country and regional delegations to advocate for the inclusion of nutrition in the climate discourse, particularly emphasizing food systems transformation.
➡️ Enhancing the visibility and involvement in the Initiative on Climate and Nutrition (I-CAN) and seeking new opportunities to reach audiences beyond the usual food system sectors. The latest 2023 progress data from the I-CAN initiative to demonstrate the benefits of coherent, integrated strategies for nutrition and climate change, thereby encouraging wider adoption of such approaches.
➡️ Showcasing examples where policy and programmatic efforts have yielded mutual benefits for climate and nutrition, emphasizing the feasibility and impact of integrated approaches
Key opportunities
As we approach COP28, parties have two clear opportunities to enhance climate action through nutrition-focused strategies:
The Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action
A significant initiative proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for endorsement by world leaders. This declaration is intended for discussion at the upcoming World Climate Action Summit during the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled for December 1st.
- The declaration is focused on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, and climate action. It is a call to action for global leaders to address these critical issues in an integrated manner.
- It builds upon previous political and expert works in these fields, including outcomes from prior COP meetings, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, and its subsequent review in 2023. The declaration has been developed through extensive consultations and incorporates feedback from various stakeholders, including a Preview Draft circulated in early September 2023.
The UAE invites Heads of State and Government to endorse the declaration by November 29th, 2023. This endorsement is crucial for the planning and success of the Agriculture, Food Systems, and Climate Segment of the World Climate Action Summit.
Advocate for a holistic approach to food systems within the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Implementation of Climate Action on Agriculture and Food Security (SSJW)
This means including a food systems approach within the agreed SSJW “roadmap”. In the context of the new joint work, taking a food systems approach would at a minimum encompass three key elements: nature-positive food production, healthy sustainable diets and nutrition, and food loss and waste.
Include food systems actions into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), National Determined Contribution (NDCs), and Long-term Strategies before COP30.
Integrating food systems actions with high potential for both mitigation and adaptation into NAPs, NDCs, and Long-term Strategies means creating and implementing policies and incentives for actions such as sustainable food production, reducing food loss and waste, shifting towards healthy and sustainable diets and improved nutrition, conserving and restoring ecosystems, as well as scaling healthy soil practices.
Calls to action
Our overarching objective is simple: following COP28, we want to see a stronger concerted effort, backed by both public and private resources, dedicated to scaling up climate and nutrition actions as a comprehensive, integrated mission.
Ask#1: Healthy diets from sustainable food systems are pivotal in combating climate change and should be at the forefront of climate action.
❗By addressing climate change and nutrition together, sustainable food systems not only promote optimal nutrition but also guarantee a resilient environment and decent livelihoods. By diversifying food production through climate-smart practices, we can leverage indigenous, nutrient-rich foods. This not only nurtures our soil and protects our water sources but also brings nutritious foods to our plates.
❗In light of climate change, large-scale fortification and biofortification are smart investments. Every dollar spent yields a US$27 return from better health and productivity. When paired with national dietary guidelines tailored to each country's distinct nutritional needs and cultural nuances, this strategy promotes the accessibility and affordability of healthy diets.
❗By refining post-harvest management and storage methods, we can ensure steady food supplies, particularly when facing climate challenges, reinforcing availability of fresh food which if accompanied by the right behavioural choices could improve nutrition.
Ask #2: Climate finance must be unlocked to support the transition towards nutritious food systems.
❗The economic implications of malnutrition are staggering, with undernutrition leading to an annual productivity loss of US$3 trillion, and obesity-related costs reaching US$2 trillion globally. Prioritizing nutrition through a climate lens can foster healthier, more resilient populations and stronger, more productive human capital especially in low and middle-income countries.
Ask #3: We need to factor nutrition into our climate action plans across all sectors. This includes:
❗Nutrition in primary health care: Within primary health care, focus on essential nutrition interventions during the first 1000 days: prenatal vitamins, Vitamin A supplementation, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, complementary foods after weaning and lipid-based nutritional supplements as well as the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition. Ensure these services are available to those most vulnerable groups.
❗Water Management: Optimize water practices for sustainable agriculture and food production: efficient irrigation, rainwater collection, and watershed care. Make sure women and girls are engaged and supported as part of these processes.
❗Nutrition-focused Social Protection: Beyond calories, provide micronutrient supplements, fortified foods, and specialized diet options for at-risk groups. Ensure access to healthy diets, especially for those groups most likely to face displacement during crises.
❗Data investment: Establish early warning systems for climate threats and devise tools to evaluate climate-food-nutrition interactions comprehensively.
❗Inclusive climate strategies: Ensure policies consider nutrition, gender, and youth. Recognize differing impacts of climate change on women, girls, and youth. Engage civil society and young voices in policy-making, opening the civic space and fostering gender equality to bolster our climate and nutrition response.
❗Scaling up community interventions: The ongoing polycrisis disproportionately affects grassroots communities, especially the marginalized, who possess critical insights into the impact on livelihoods and basic rights and often have the solutions needed to address these challenges. Stakeholders must empower these local communities to implement and scale up their solutions for healthy and sustainable diets to national and broader levels.
Ask #4: We urge countries to prioritize the integration of both climate and nutrition considerations in their nutrition commitments.
❗Nearly 44% of National Nutrition Plans incorporate specific climate actions. Yet, a staggering 95% of Nutrition for Growth commitments overlook climate or sustainability considerations. Furthermore, only 2% of Nationally Determined Contributions detail concrete measures to tackle nutrition issues.
❗This disparity emphasizes how nutrition is not sufficiently considered in climate initiatives. We call on national nutrition and climate experts, alongside policymakers, to unite in devising strategies that address the complex overlap of climate change and nutrition. Furthermore, we call on organizations and institutions with the capacity to support the implementation of these strategies to intensify both their financial and technical support.
Social media assets
Share our key messages and join the conversation ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) by using these suggested posts alongside our downloadable resources.
Social media posts
⚠️#Climatechange is jeopardizing food supplies.🚨Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts and wildfires are destroying staple food crops, affecting food and #nutrition security. Check out our toolkit and amplify the voices of @SUN_Movement countries: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/8bj942rhmXN1V
Climate action can help us achieve a food-secure future and #Nutrition4All. 🌾 🔒 44% of National Nutrition Plans address climate action as a key factor, yet only 5% of Nutrition for Growth commitments consider it. It’s time to support nutrition with climate-focused policies. #COP28
Investing in climate action can advance food security and reduce malnutrition. 💵 🌽 Improving nutrition creates stronger, more resilient populations and increases economic productivity, especially in low and middle-income countries. #COP28
#Nutrition and #climatechange are interlinked🖇️. So how can we address both? @COP28_UAE - Nutrition MUST be built into climate-related resilience policies to avoid a spiraling down 🌀⏬ effect leading to more #malnutrition and less resilience to climate-related shocks.
Food security depends on a sustainable environment in which we can cultivate quality food. ☀️ 🌾 Climate change is impacting nutrition globally, especially in low and middle-income countries, weakening the health and productivity of populations. It’s time to take action. #COP28
Food systems are failing to provide nutritious food for 2.4 million people. It is vital that we work together to make our food systems more sustainable! #COP28 is our time to advocate for lasting change for people and the planet. #Nutrition4All
SUN Countries are showing @COP28_UAE how the integration of #nutrition into climate policies is essential to ensure a better tomorrow. We must encourage collaboration, ensuring the most vulnerable and hardest hit by #climatechange and #nutrition insecurity are part of the response.
Social media handles
- @SUN_Movement
- @AfshanKhan_
- @UN_Nutrition
- @SUNCSN
- @SUNBizNet
- @UNFCCC
- @COP28_UAE
Social Media Hashtags
- #Nutrition4All
- #InvestInNutrition
- #COP28
- #ClimateAction
Nutrition at COP28
For COP28, food systems and nutrition actors have scaled up their engagement significantly – with now official COP pavilions dedicated to the topic. There will be several official pavilions either dedicated to food/foodsystems, and featuring key dialogues on nutrition; or expected to feature strong food systems/nutrition focused content:
- The Food Systems Pavilion – led by the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) and ClimEat
- FAO Pavilion
Information on nutrition-related events will be added here
What are the main events where the climate and nutrition agenda will be discussed?
Nov 30: OPENING
Dec 1: World Climate Action Summit
Dec 2: World Climate Action Summit
Dec 3: Health/Relief, Recovery and Peace
Dec 4: Finance/Trade/Gender Equality/Accountability
Dec 5: Energy, Industry, Just Transition, Indigenous Peoples
Dec 6: Multilevel Action, Urbanization and Built environment/Transport
Dec 8: Youth, Children, Education and Skills
Dec 9: Nature, Land Use and Oceans
Dec 10: Food, Agriculture and Water
Dec 11: Final Negociations
Supporting documents
📜 The Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action
📜 The Non-State Actors Call to Action for Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate, to be launched at COP28
📕 Accelerating action and opening opportunities: a closer integration of climate and nutrition 2023 : I-CAN baseline assessment
📝I-CAN's Key Messages on the Road to COP 28 here (also in French, Arabic, Spanish)
📕 Climate action and nutrition - Pathways to Impact (FAO)
📜 COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health
📕Discussion Paper: Nutrition and the Environment (UN Nutrition)