REGIONAL WORKSHOP: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION

Home REGIONAL WORKSHOP: CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION

20TH MAY 2024, IN NAIROBI KENYA

BACKGROUND

The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) affirms that human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850-1900 in 2011-2020. Climate change has reduced food security and affected water security, hindering efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals. Although overall agricultural productivity has increased, the AR6 shows that climate change has slowed this growth over the past 50 years globally, with related negative impacts mainly in Africa. According to the African Food Systems Transformation Collective, globally, food systems are unsustainable: 80% of the food system is powered by fossil fuels and the food system is responsible for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. The vast majority of African agrifood GHG emissions are caused by deforestation and on-farm emissions. As African food systems intensify, developing pathways that rely on renewable energies and short supply chains will help mitigate GHG emissions and build resilience to fuel price shocks and supply disruptions. In response, Cop28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action reaffirms respective commitments, collective and individual, to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Sharm El Sheikh Joint Work on implementation of climate action in agriculture and food security; as well as noting the UN Food Systems Summit. It recognizes that unprecedented adverse climate impacts are increasingly threatening the resilience of agriculture and food systems as well as the ability of many, especially the most vulnerable, to produce and access food in the face of mounting hunger, malnutrition, and economic stresses. It notes the essential role of international and multi-stakeholder cooperation, including South-South and Triangular cooperation, financial and funding institutions, trade, and non-state actors in responding to climate change. Similar sentiments were made at the 2023 Africa Food Systems Summit that called on African leaders to build better food systems and promote food sovereignty, with youth and women at the centre. The African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action also calls for redoubling efforts to boost agricultural yields through sustainable agricultural practices, to enhance food security while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

THE WORKSHOP

According to WWF (2024) while many countries mention the agriculture sector in their NDCs, very few set targets in relation to other stages of the food system. The More than 80% of all of the NDCs submitted by Africa include agriculture in mitigation targets, and more than 65% in adaptation strategies. Opportunities to reduce global emissions of the food systems sector remain largely untapped due to a lack of comprehensive coverage of the opportunities that exist in the in the food system, on the one hand and vagueness and specificity of NDC targets on the other. In this regard, World Animal Protection and the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA) at the University of Nairobi will host a national climate and food systems workshop to investigate current debates, research gaps, and possible policy interventions. Specifically, the workshop will highlight the nexus between animal agriculture and climate change, and the pursuit of more ethical, sustainable, and regenerative approaches to livestock production.

OBJECTIVE:

It is upon this basis that this workshop will seek to: 1. Raise awareness about the importance of transitioning to humane, sustainable, regenerative and climate-friendly livestock production systems. 2. Showcase and highlight successful case studies and initiatives that promote beneficial, ethical and climate friendly livestock production. 3. Provide guidance and recommendations for policymakers to increase ambition in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), building upon the climate change mitigation and adaptation potential of a transition to sustainable food systems 4. Initiate conversations towards inclusion of sustainable livestock production into the COP 29 outcomes.

PARTICIPANTS

The national multi-sector and multi-stakeholder workshop will bring together policy makers, civil society organizations, private sector players, research institutions and individual experts in the climate and agriculture space to bring attention to this very critical aspect that often goes unmentioned but is a pertinent cog in our collective quest address the weak link between food security and climate change.

TIME AND VENUE

Date: Wednesday 22, May 2024 Time: 8am to 1600 Venue:

OUTCOME

The event will contribute to fostering a shared understanding of the contribution of humane, sustainable, regenerative and climate-friendly livestock production systems to our shared climate ambitions. Participants will gain insights into practical approaches, policy implications, and collaborative opportunities to drive positive change in the livestock industry. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, the event aims to inspire and catalyze actions that promote ethical treatment of animals, reduce climate impact, and ensure the availability of higher welfare production systems.

PROGRAMME

TIME

ACTIVITY

FACILITATOR

0800 – 0830

Arrival and registration & Tea and snacks

Sally Kahiu, WAP

0900 – 0940

Welcoming Remarks

Introduction and Context Setting

-        World Animal Protection – Africa Director

-        University of Nairobi (Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation)

-        Ministry of Agriculture

-        Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry

 

Sally Kahiu, WAP

0940-1030

Towards Humane, Sustainable, Regenerative and Climate-Friendly Livestock Production Systems.

Patrick Muinde, WAP

1030-1100

Photo Session and Coffee Break

 

1100-1140

Bridging the Triple Nexus: Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (What is Kenya Doing?)

Priscilla W. Muiruri

The Ministry of Agriculture (Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP)

1140 –1220

Scaling Up Climate Finance Innovation and Access for Agri-Food Systems Transformation (where is the Money)

FAO/WFP

1220-1300

The Role of the Private Sector in Climate-Resilient Food Systems (The Business of Livestock Production)

KAM/KEPSA

1300-1400

Lunch Break

 

1400-1440

The Role of Research and Think Tanks in Provision of Data for Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture (How to Put Data into Use)

Dr. Catherine Kilele,

African Centre for Technology Studies

1440-1540

Breakout Session: Institutional and Stakeholder Mapping

Patrick Muinde, WAP

1540-1600

Feedback from Groups

Patrick Muinde, WAP

1600 – 1630

Closing Remarks, Vote of Thanks and Departure

Sally Kahiu, WAP