REPORT | From Plate to Planet

 

City and regional governments are leading the way on real food and climate action, while national governments lag.

 

As governments gather at COP28 (Dubai, November 30) for the first global review of progress towards the Paris Agreement, IPES-Food urges governments to stop neglecting food systems in their climate pledges (NDCs) and to pay attention to the pioneering emissions-slashing efforts of cities and regions.

'From Plate to Planet' shows how local governments are pioneering policies on food and climate change through dozens of inspiring examples on the ground, including promoting healthy and sustainable diets, reducing food waste, shortening food chains, training organic farmers, and ensuring all residents can access healthy and sustainable food. Examples are drawn from signatories of the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration.

To give us a fighting chance at limiting global warming, IPES-Food recommends:

• Governments take the opportunity of the Paris Agreement stocktaking moment at COP28 to revise national climate commitments to systematically include food systems and local action.
• National governments use the example of cities and regional governments as a blueprint for food and climate action – to inspire national food and climate policies. 
• Governments act in coordination with city and regional governments, and provide more funding to them to take action on food and climate change, scaling it out to every city and region.

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Read the report ( EN | FR | ES )

 

Read the summary ( EN | FR | ES )
 

Read the press release (EN)

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 “It’s truly inspiring to see cities and regions leading the way on action to transform food systems and reduce emissions. Even more remarkable, they have kept forging ahead despite Covid-19, despite the cost of living crisis, and often without much support from national governments. These policies are working because local governments are addressing climate change with communities, along with other challenges that people care about, like healthy diets and supporting local businesses.”
Olivier De Schutter, IPES-Food co-chair

 

What local governments are saying

 

“We are making significant strides in reducing emissions through serving less carbon-intensive foods. We hope the example of our increased plant-based food offerings – which are not only good for people but also lead to reductions in food waste and sustainable supply chains – can spur other leaders to enact new policies on food and climate change and join New York City in committing to reducing food-related emissions by 33% by 2030.”
Kate MacKenzie, Food Policy Executive Director for the New York City Mayor's Office, Glasgow Declaration signatory

 

“Our food policies in the Department for Economic Development are very cross-cutting – acting on 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals – we are fighting poverty, hunger, inequality, and fostering a green economy.”
Aline Cardoso, Secretary for Economic Development at the City of São Paulo, Glasgow Declaration signatory

 

 

“Whether it's for school meals or for local residents, a sustainable food policy that promotes organic produce, local agriculture, green food and reduced food waste has helped us cut the climate impact of our food by 26%. If we put our minds to it, anything is possible!”
Gilles Pérole, Deputy Mayor of Mouans-Sartoux, Glasgow Declaration Signatory

 

 

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