For the next two weeks, world leaders will gather in Dubai for the 28^th edition of the United Nations’ annual climate meeting, known as COP. Discussion at the meeting will focus on reaching the existing Paris Agreement climate goals, and organizers have expressed hope that it “can be the turning point we need on climate action over this critical decade.”

In the lead-up, UAE leaders issued a “Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda” for the event, and asked attending governments to sign onto a first-ever agreement to address emissions from food and agriculture. In a first for COP, a full day will be devoted to food and agriculture on Dec. 10. In another COP first, the UAE has announced plans for “Climate Conscious Catering,” including asking vendors to deliver a 2/3 plant-based menu.

On the dedicated food and agriculture day, the UN FAO is scheduled to launch a “roadmap” for countries to meet climate goals through “agrifood solutions.” Media reports have begun to emerge claiming that this roadmap will call on the West, including America, to dramatically cut meat consumption as one of these proposed “solutions.” Activist groups like Compassion in World Farming have also been quick to jump into the COP conversation, as CIWF issued a report last week “dealing the financial impact of intensive animal agriculture on the Global South.”

On the positive side, U.S. animal agriculture will be well represented, with a significant number (anecdotally, I’ve heard more than ever) of attendees actively participating in the conference. By being at the table, we can help make sure our sustainability story is heard.

Those of us following along at home can also be part of the conversation by sharing information with our networks that helps provide reassurance about the role meat, poultry, dairy and eggs can play in healthy, sustainable diets. Each sector of the animal agriculture community has made tremendous improvements in all areas of farming, including environmental sustainability, and is committed to continued progress.

Collectively, U.S. animal agriculture has made commitments toward nearly each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations. In addition, organizations from various sectors of agriculture have joined forces in the Protein PACT, the largest-ever effort to strengthen animal protein’s contributions to healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment. Similarly, the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef are developing multi-stakeholder sustainability reporting frameworks to continually monitor progress.

The Alliance’s Sustainability Impact Report is a great resource for content to share, including these tidbits -

From 2007 to 2017, U.S. dairy farmers used 30% less water, 21% less land and have achieved a 19% reduction in the carbon footprint per gallon of milk!
Between 1961 and 2018, the U.S. beef community has reduced greenhouse gas emissions per pound of beef produced by more than 40% while also producing 66% more beef per animal.
From 1960 to 2015, pig farmers in the U.S. used 75.9% less land, 25.1% less water, 7% less energy and have a 7.7% lower carbon footprint.
The resources used to produce one dozen eggs have been cut considerably with 26% less feed, 32% less water and a 71% lower carbon footprint since 1960.

We’ll stay tuned for updates from across the world as the COP discussions get underway, and we encourage everyone involved in animal protein to do the same.

Meat hardly on the menu but definitely on the agenda at COP28

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