The evidence is overwhelming. We cannot tackle the climate or nature crises without changing the food and farming system, and we need to address them together, not in isolation.
This presents a triple challenge to policy makers.
1) Climate change is already having a significant and devastating impact on food systems; particularly in the global south, with degraded food systems leading to food poverty and destabilised communities.
2) The food system - from the inputs into farms - to the food waste from consumers, this is a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Globally 23% of total global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are from agriculture, forestry, and other land use and new research suggests global food systems use a shocking 15% of all fossil fuels.
3) The food system can be a great solution and carbon ‘sink’, sucking in greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and delivering climate adaptation such as water management, if it is allowed to.
So as world leaders prepare to meet for COP28, it is welcome that there is a sharp focus on how the land-based sectors and natural systems can be mobilised to help. With 70% of the UK land farmed, and 40% of our food also imported, this should compel the UK to show leadership at the meeting and act on these triple challenges in the food and farming system.