Tackling climate and sustainable development crises together could cut costs by 40 per cent, new report shows

A report issued by a UN-convened expert group finds that tackling the climate and sustainable development crises together could unlock efficiencies at scale and reduce government spending needed to address these crises by nearly 40 per cent.

Harnessing Climate and SDG Synergy: Quantifying the Benefits, the third global report prepared by the independent Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, was launched today ahead of the Climate Summit during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

 

It comes at a time when progress towards achieving climate targets under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is far off track. The finance gap for SDG action exceeds USD 4 trillion annually and over USD 6 trillion annually for climate action.

“The climate and development crises are not separate – they are deeply interconnected, and so must be their solutions,” UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua and Executive Secretary of UNFCCC Simon Stiell stated jointly in the preface of the report, representing the two agencies that co-convene the expert group.

 

Declaring that the report shows that “we have the solutions and roadmap” for a more integrated approach, they issued a call for cooperation across ministries and sectors – for a whole-of-society approach. “Let us seize this moment of opportunity for transformative change, for people and planet,” they concluded.

The expert report comes at a crucial time: 2025 presents a critical window to maximize the potential of synergistic action, as countries prepare new national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, some of which are being announced at the Climate Summit. These Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can be a key mechanism, the report states, to align climate action with sustainable development and the SDGs. Citing two examples of co-benefits, the report urges that NDCs should include action on biodiversity and recognize the positive health impacts in cities of reducing emissions and air pollution.

The report suggests that tailoring synergistic strategies to country-specific development and climate objectives ensures that investments are targeted where they are needed most, and that climate action delivers multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. Currently, “fragmentation across governance, finance and policy continues to hinder progress,” the report states, “necessitating reforms for effective and inclusive action.”

Stating that private sector investment is vital, the report makes the argument that by aligning incentives, demonstrating economic value and reducing risk through synergistic action, governments can leverage private funding to magnify the impacts.

Growing Evidence

The report’s conclusions are based on statistical modelling, using the cost of meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction objective of fulfilling all NDCs as well as achieving certain development targets measured by the Human Development Index. By contrast, synergistic allocation of funds could reduce total government spending by up to 37 per cent, according to the modelling.

 

The expert group intends to broaden the analysis in future reports to add other benefits, including social values, such as lives saved.

The report expands the growing body of evidence on the clear benefits of synergistic policies and action, building on the expert group’s global reports the past two years, as well as detailed thematic reports examining specific synergies that can yield major impact. It cites examples showing that:

Nature-based climate solutions such as conserving biodiversity and restoring ecosystems could deliver up to 37 per cent of cost-effective CO₂ mitigation by 2030;

 

City policies such as fossil-fuel phase-out, and encouraging cycling and walking as well as plant-based diets can deliver major co-benefits for climate and health;

 

Integrating disaster insurance into development plans can boost resilience, considering that in Africa only 0.5 per cent of disaster losses are insured, and each 1 per cent rise in coverage brings countries 5.8 per cent closer to achieving the SDGs.

Political momentum on climate and SDG synergies has been building, including through annual conferences, with increasing recognition of the need to break down the silos that are holding back progress urgently needed. The recommendations in the report will continue to be advanced in various forums, including at Climate COP30 coming up in Brazil in November.

The 17-member expert group, drawn from diverse backgrounds and research institutions, is co-led by Luis Gomez Echeverri (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis) and Heidi Hackmann (CREST, Stellenbosch University).

 

Kofi Adu Domfeh writes: When roads are constructed to kill

It is pitiful when lives must be lost in order to maintain the safety of our roads, despite repeated pleas from drivers and commuters.

 

Three years after the Ahodwo-Trede road was upgraded, the road has turned into a necessary evil for users.

 

Indeed, the road construction has been a major relief to residents, and eased traffic congestion on a sector of the Kumasi-Obuasi highway.

 

However, there have been avoidable accidents and fatalities on the road.

 

Recorded accidents

 

Sokoban is a major industrial enclave on the stretch, and the road links to several communities in the region.

 

Sections of the main road have turned death traps, recording major and minor accidents daily.

 

In April 2024, about five people were injured in a gory accident on the Ahodwo-Sokoban stretch, involving two vehicles and a tricycle popularly known as ‘Pragyia’.

 

In March 2024, two people were reported dead with five others severely injured after a tragic accident involving a mini commercial 'trotro' bus ramming into another bus.

 

A year earlier in April 2023, a trailer ran over three saloon cars at Sokoban, killing one person. 

 

In October 2023, a saloon car ran over bystanders, killing two people at Sokoban Krofrom.

 

In February 2023, a gas tanker driver and his conductor were injured after their truck fell on its side at a sharp curve and caught fire at Sokoban Ampayoo.

 

Dangerous driving

 

The road has been without safety cautions: there are no traffic lights, no road markings, including zebra crossing, and no reflectors on the medians.

 

Pedestrian knockdowns, collisions at intersections and vehicular turnovers are rampant.

 

Reckless driving, excessive speeding and wrongful parking also contribute to crashes on the road.

 

Night driving is most dangerous as there are no lights to aid vision.

 

There is an outcry by residents and motorists over the neglect, leading to loss of lives and injuries to accidents.

 

Neglected section

 

The stalled construction of the one-kilometer Sokoban-Ampayoo stretch, has been frustrating for commuting, causing harm to vehicles and exposing residents to health risks from dust pollution.

 

Motorists spend 30-45mins to ply due to the deplorable state.

 

Few metres away is a life-threatening pothole at the corner of a curve left unattended for several months.

 

Road users and inhabitants of Sokoban have agitated over the deteriorating state of the road, despite assurances from local authorities to get it fixed.

 

Installing Road Safety

Communities need good roads but these roads should not be built to kill.

 

Road contractors need to prioritize safety installations when roads are constructed and the supervising professionals and institutions must ensure the safety of road users and residents are not compromised in project execution.

  

The pillars of road safety includes road safety management, safer vehicles, safer road users, post-crash response and safer driving environment.

 

Majority of road traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable if the driving environment is made safe.

 

Failing to take the right actions in making the roads safe has broader implications in public health with socio-economic consequences as it affects the progress towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

WASCAL creates enabling environment for green hydrogen research and capacity building in West Africa

The inaugural edition of the Green Conversations has focused on achievements and prospects for a successful and smooth transition from fossil fuel to clean, cheaper, and sustainable energy in West Africa.

 

The two-hour interactive session is aimed at creating the enabling environment to ensure a successful green economy.

 

The conversations highlighted the need to speed up the smooth transition into green hydrogen and to further explore the available opportunities for West Africans to use cheaper and more sustainable energy.

 

It is spearheaded by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) and its stakeholders.

 

Key speakers from across the world focused on the theme: “Enabling Environment for Capacity Building and Research for Green Hydrogen Economy in West Africa”.

 

The Interim Executive Director of WASCAL, Prof Kehinde Ogunjobi, spoke on the contributions of WASCAL towards a smooth transition from fossil fuel to cleaner energy.

 

He emphasized the successful implementation of projects and programmes as part of its commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 on Clean Energy.

 

WASCAL recently graduated 59 West African Green Scholars in various Green Hydrogen programmes under its International Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen. A new set of 73 students have been admitted in the drive to build stronger capacities in West Africa.

 

Prof. Ogunjobi says other activities and interventions include the waste-to-energy project as well as the PV2H projects.

 

Since 2021, WASCAL and its partners have worked together to build the capacities of students from 15 West African countries through its International Master’s Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen.  

 

The partners include German’s Julich, RWTH Aachen, Rostock University, as well as its West African university partners, Houphouet Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire; University Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, University of Lomé, Togo, and University of Abdou Moumouni, Niger.

 

Speakers at the Green Conversation included Prof. Kehinde Ogunjobi, Director of Capacity Building, Prof. Daouda Kone, Madam, Kerstin Annassi, from Julich, Nii Commey, Communications Manager of WASCAL, and Ms. Alberta Aryee, Renewable Energy Coordinating Officer.

 

The conversation was moderated by the Coordinator of Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen in WASCAL, Dr. Bruno Korgo.

The climate crisis is biting and African editors cannot sit aloof

The month of June 2023 has recorded devastating infractions in the weather, with attendant havoc in communities and environments in Africa.

Downpours in various regions have caused severe flooding, leading to submerged homes, destruction of property, displacement of people, and in some instances loss of lives.

 

These are exacerbated by climate change and the impacts point to a crisis.

 

However, there has been a gap in African newsrooms in telling the African climate story and the urgency of the climate crisis.

 

A recent review of how Africa is covered in climate news shows there is a need to elevate Africa’s voice and perspectives in the media as part of driving climate action on the continent.

 

To amplify the voice of Africa in the climate change narrative, the first Africa Editors Climate Forum was convened by the Kenya Editors Guild and Powershift Africa, under the coordination of AfricaonAir.

 

The Forum, held in Nairobi, Kenya brought together editors from parts of the continent to discuss ways to enhance the coverage of climate change issues in African newsrooms.

 

Participants shared experiences and discussed the state of climate change reporting in Africa and challenges newsrooms face, while exploring new opportunities and creative approaches to climate reporting.

 

Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Editors Guild, Rosalia Omungo, said editors who are the gatekeepers have the responsibility to ensure a clear and accurate message is out.

 

“Reporting matters like climate change must adhere to the basic tenets of accuracy and credibility. Credibility goes beyond and goes out of the source of data. Journalists must go beyond the science and reflect humanity,” she stated.

 

She also emphasized the importance of cross-border reporting to enhance the climate narrative across the African continent.

 

Researchers and experts in climate change, energy and sustainable development shared perspectives to help in framing stories to offer solutions in climate change challenges.

 

Kenya’s special envoy for climate change, Ambassador Ali Mohamed, noted that Africa is a victim of climate change and therefore needs support to overcome the impacts of climate change.

 

The African continent emits less than 0.5percent of global carbon emissions but remains the most vulnerable to climate change.

 

In pushing for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, the envoy said Africa will continue to push for what is legitimate.

 

“We need to take a hard look at the resources we have on our doorstep. Africa has critical mineral potential, land size and immense potential for renewable energy,” said Ambassador Ali.

 

Critical issues of interest in the climate narrative include climate finance, adaptation and mitigation.

 

Programme manager at PowerShift Africa, Fatuma Hussein, called for strong collaboration and engagements between newsrooms and climate scientists to build resilience and drive sustainable development in Africa.

 

By Kofi Adu Domfeh  

 

Countries asked to ensure full representation towards achieving SDGs #ARFSD2021

The Seventh Session of the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) has ended with a call on African countries to pursue full representation of all citizens, including women, children, and the disabled, irrespective of background, belief or geographic location, in efforts to attain the sustainable development goals without leaving anyone behind.

During the four-day Forum, discussions showed that efforts by countries, including achievements made in achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2063, have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, setting back strides in addressing the continent's development needs.

The Forum, hosted by the Government of Congo Brazzaville and held virtually, also called on governments to ensure peace and human security, remove restrictions on spaces for activists and journalists and work to avoid election violence.

The Forum also emphasized the importance of data which is a key component of tracking the SDGs. In this regard the UN Resident Representative in Zambia, Ms. Coumba Mar Gadio stated that the UN has worked with the Zambian government to mainstream the SDGs and provided support to localize SDGs and national planning.

That, she said, was to ensure that the national plan followed a strategy to apply the SDGs.

Ms. Joy Kategekwa, Head, UNCTAD Regional Office for Africa, called for a regional approach in procurement as the continent continues to fight COVID-19; urged the continent to fight corruption; and added that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) should also work for women and young people.

In spite of the challenges, there are some success stories, as narrated by Ms. Micheline Baussard of the UNDP. She indicated that cooperation among regional groups has led to new initiatives and called on countries to develop a roadmap for attaining the SDGs.

“There is need to invest in human capital in the implementation of this roadmap,” she said, adding that “90 per cent of the goals are related and therefore impact from one goal will affect the other.”

Ms. Edith Madela-Mntla of the University of Pretoria urged that the process of implementing the SDGs should be people-centred and inclusive. The homeless, disabled and marginalized should be included in the process, she added.

Ms. Madela-Mntla also called on countries to pay attention to climate change and the environment; and look at how to manage COVID-19 related waste, think of how to deal with disasters, cyclones, floods and disasters and ensure low carbon emissions.

Among the key highlights of the Forum’s resolutions, which would be reviewed by member-countries till March 14, 2021, include the need for countries to pay attention to data collection and the Voluntary National Reviews and Voluntary Local Reviews. The need for the SDGs to address poverty and gender across all sectors; reducing illicit financial flows, reinforcing small-holder farmers and looking at using the AfCFTA to create jobs in the agriculture sector.

Participants also called on governments and the private sector to enhance value chains across the continent and the use of innovative financing to address climate change.

The forum was held under the theme; "Building forward better: towards a resilient and green Africa to achieve the 2030 Agenda and 2063".

CLAP Gh seeks to halt sentencing of future generations into a hotter planet

The planet’s carbon dioxide (Co2) levels are now the highest in human history. Yet, there is no sign of slowdown in greenhouse gas levels, despite verbal commitments by countries.

After greenhouse gases are emitted, they interact with our land, sea and air. The ocean absorbs around a quarter of all Co2 and what’s left behind in the atmosphere is known as ‘greenhouse gas concentrations’.

Scientists say the gap between climate targets and reality is glaring and growing, and the warming strength of greenhouse gases is 43% higher than 30 years ago.

The Scientists are so worried because as we limit emissions in the future, Co2 remains in the atmosphere for centuries, sentencing future generations into a hotter planet, higher sea levels and more extreme weather.

The most vulnerable to the extreme weather is the African continent.

The Climate, Livelihoods & Agriculture Platform (CLAP Gh) is therefore constituted to build synergy along the Science, Environment and Agriculture nexus to drive a common goal of addressing climate change for sustainable development.

CLAP Gh mobilizes young professionals to become part of the momentum created by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change to partner all interest groups to share knowledge and take action.

“You may doubt the science, but the reality lives with you; climate change is real,” says Environmentalist Kofi Adu Domfeh, who is convener of CLAP Gh. “The interest of our Platform is not really to be caught in the debate of the realities of climate change but to be part of the solution for climate mitigation and adaptation”.

He said this during the launch of CLAP Gh and its flagship event, Climate Café in Kumasi.

Climate Café mobilizes people and communities for action

 

The Climate Café is a live talk event on critical subjects to generate interest and mobilize action to chart a path for sustainable development.

This is in line with its Vision to ‘Create space for exchange of knowledge and seek solutions to advance Global Green Development pathway’.

The maiden Climate Café held at the Rattray Park in Kumasi had Dr. Isaac Tetteh of the Department of Environmental Science at the KNUST talking “Action-Oriented Initiatives to Combat Climate Change”.

He revealed that due to the continuous release of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) into the atmosphere, 45 percent of the Co2 will always remain in the air.

The Ocean absorbs 25 percent and the rest absorbed by the land base systems like trees.

“So if you want to combat or mitigate climate change or greenhouse gases, the land-based systems must be broadened to capture more of the Co2,” Dr Isaac Tetteh said.

“We must grow trees and Bast Fiber Plants like Kenaf, group of plants used for sacks or jute. When we grow these fibres on our lawns, they trap huge amounts of CO2 and capture them and so we use them as a means to control climate change”.

Launch of CLAP Gh

CLAP Gh prioritizes greening the local economy, especially tree planting, as viable adaptation mechanism.

Urban forests help absorb Co2 and pollution from the atmosphere, produce oxygen for us to breathe and could help reduce city air temperatures by up to 8^oC, cutting air conditioning costs by 40 percent and saving energy.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has stated that the pace of urbanisation in Africa and Asia is contributing to climate change and planting trees could improve air quality, cut the risk of floods and heatwaves and halt land degradation.

The UN therefore wants to plant half a million hectares of urban forests – about 4 times the size of Hong Kong – to fight climate change. The forest will be spread across 90 cities in the two continents that are expanding fast but don’t have enough trees, leaving them less able to cope with heatwaves and flooding.

CLAP Gh wants to be part of this momentum as urban forests will strengthen cities’ defences to climate change.

“We know that a lot of people may not believe or even understand the climate change phenomenon. However, we know everyone will want to breathe cleaner air. Everyone will want to eat well. Everyone will want to live well. This is the conviction of CLAP Gh in all we do,” said Domfeh.

CLAP Gh initiates Action through individual and community awareness creation and builds up to the district, regional and national levels, in line with the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Global Climate Action.

Planting trees for environmental health

Media General’s news team in Kumasi joined members of TV3 Fan Club in a clean-up and tree planting exercise to promote a healthy environment in the Atonsu community.

In line with the environmental sanitation campaign, garbage out, the exercise was to lead by example and create public awareness on the benefits of environmental sanitation.

The clean-up exercise was to drum home the importance of cleanliness to the socio-economic growth of the country.

Media General’s news team and enthusiastic TV3 Fan club members collectively supported the exercise to the admiration of community members.

The group cleared choked drains of plastic waste, swept filth and cleared weeds grown along streets within the Atonsu community.

The corporate clean-up exercise was aimed at contributing to the national sanitation agenda of ensuring a cleaner Ghana.

Chairman of TV3 Fan Club at Atonsu, Emmanuel Akoto Mensah, called for attitudinal change to keep the environment clean of filth.

He noted the country’s sustainable development hinges on environmental protection.

Northern Sector Bureau Chief at Media General, Kofi Adu Domfeh, led a tree planting exercise as part of the event.

A number of trees were planted on the compound of Atonsu M/A Basic School to support the school’s greening efforts.

Domfeh encouraged a national collective drive in cleaning and greening the environment to mitigate and adapt to climate change and also help attain the sustainable development goals.

Link to original published article:

https://3news.com/tv3-fan-club-mg-staff-plant-trees-in-garbage-out-campaign/ 

Climate Crisis and SDGs: UN looks to countries and private sector to mobilize resources for progress

Facing the increasing impacts of climate change and a chronic and global underfunding of efforts to scale up action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), world leaders from governments and the private sector are set to announce new plans and financing initiatives at the UN High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development in New York.

The announcements by world leaders, CEOs as well as philanthropy and civil society heads are set to demonstrate increased resolve to mobilize resources, generate action and restore momentum to achieve the globally-agreed goals to eliminate poverty, promote prosperity and well-being while protecting the environment. 

As part of the UN’s week of action for people and the planet, the High-Level Dialogue held under the auspices of the UN General Assembly will review the many financing commitments that were made or are expected to be made at the high-level meetings this week, including at the Climate Action Summit, the SDG Summit and the High-level Midterm Review of the Samoa Pathway.

The Climate Action Summit on Monday saw announcements by countries to increase their contributions to the Green Climate Fund and their assistance for climate financing, as well as announcements by banks and asset management companies to redirect their investments with a focus on sustainability concerns.

At the SDG Summit, governments announced commitments to finance efforts on a range of programmes to achieve various goals.

In his opening remarks, the President of the UN General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, said that, “Today’s High-Level Dialogue provides an opportunity to evaluate implementation of this framework. Throughout the SDG Summit, we heard from many Member States that funding remains one of the biggest impediments to realizing the SDGs. We need about $2.5 trillion a year to close the finance gap. This will require our urgent attention and action.”

The High-Level Dialogue will hear from more nearly 20 heads of state and government and as many ministers, joined by philanthropy and business leaders, including Bill Gates, who will sound the alarm about the insufficient pace in closing the gap in investments that are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

More than 20 initiatives are expected to be announced and reported on. Among them is the 2X Challenge by the Development Finance Institutions of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which aims to mobilize $2.5 billion to invest in global women’s economic empowerment.

UN Deputy-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed underlined the vast financing gap. “The bottom line is that we are still not on track. And the urgency of achieving the goals, of which ambitious climate action is a part, demands that we pick up the pace.”

Since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015 — the roadmap for financing the SDGs — there has been slow economic growth, increasing inequalities and growing debt distress in many of the world’s most vulnerable countries. In 2018, net Official Development Assistance totaled $149 billion, down by 2.7 per cent in real terms from 2017.

Rising debt levels can hamper the ability of countries to invest in sustainable development. Climate-related disasters dramatically exacerbate the debt challenges in small island developing states, who struggle to repay their loans as their economies are crippled by ever more intense and frequent disasters. 

However, the path to financing the SDGs is not all bleak.

“Financing is the test of our seriousness,” said UN Secretary‐General António Guterres in his remarks, “Without resources, we will simply not deliver for people or planet.  But with adequate, predictable, sustainable funding, everything is possible.” He also referred to his Strategy for Financing the 2030 Agenda which was announced in 2018 and is being rolled out by the UN this year to support countries and their partners.

Many countries are now incorporating the SDGs into their national budgets. There are opportunities for acceleration, driven by countries’ national sustainable development strategies, innovative partnerships and the potential of data and new technologies. There is also a growing interest in SDGs from the private sector, which increasingly sees the economic case for sustainable development. The financial industry for instance reported on the growing importance of factoring climate-related risks into decision-making as well as opportunities for financial innovation and digital finance to unlock new resources for the SDGs.

Although estimates vary, the cost of achieving the Goals would require annual investments amounting to trillions of dollars, which could be achieved, in large part, through the redirection of major investments to the green economy. Global aggregates also obscure some of the real challenges and opportunities in specific country and regional contexts which has led to a renewed interest in understanding the investment needs at the national level and the need for strengthened domestic resource mobilization to finance national SDG development plans.

A Financing for Development Forum will take place in April 2020 to follow up and review the progress on the Addis Agenda and related financing commitments.

UN enlists chefs to lead in campaign for sustainable food to tackle climate change

Chefs from around the world will help the United Nations kick-off a new campaign today – Sustainable Gastronomy Day – that aims to engage people in the global effort to tackle climate change through healthy and sustainable food choices.
 
Leading chefs will spearhead the challenge and provide inspiration by presenting their own creations which will be featured on the United Nations’ platforms to create a global wave of culinary creativity as people share their favorite recipes and photos.

The UN’s ActNow campaign aims to generate momentum towards the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit on 23 September 2019, where leaders from governments, business and civil society will demonstrate large-scale plans to significantly reduce emissions and build climate resilience and adaptation.

“It is clear that since 2015, progress has been made across a number of the Sustainable Development Goals.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have inspired an impressive early response from Governments, the private sector, local authorities, civil society, the scientific community and many more.  But it is also clear that we must move much further and much faster to achieve our Goals by 2030’” said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. “We can achieve the SDGs by 2030.  We can win the race against climate change.  But individuals have a big role to play, and through the ActNow Campaign, we aim to bring all people into the collective effort to limit climate change and build a sustainable world.”

Joining the campaign is the Copenhagen-based non-profit MAD, founded by Chef René Redzepi of world-renowned restaurant noma, working to transform our food system by giving chefs and restaurateurs the skills, community, time and space to create real and sustainable change. Alongside MAD, will be the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, and Kitchen Connection, which are working to engage chefs in the sustainable food movement.

With agriculture contributing to about one-fifth of global emissions, largely through food waste and meat consumption, the UN’s ActNow campaign will showcase the efforts and recipes of renowned chefs who are cooking with ingredients that can help reduce greenhouse gases and damage to the environment.

Food consumption is impacting the climate in many ways. The destruction of rainforests to create land for agriculture, along with growing demand for meat, are major contributors to increasing greenhouse gases. And one-third of the food that is produced in the world each year – approximately 1.3 billion tonnes at an economic cost of $940 billion to farmers, companies, and consumers – is lost or wasted, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Wasted food is responsible for roughly 8 per cent of global emissions – if food waste were a country, it would have the third largest emissions in the world.  

As more and more chefs and other food suppliers are focusing on local and organic produce and shifting away from meat-heavy meals and fast food, the UN’s ActNow campaign aims to inspire even more people to enjoy sustainable, climate-conscious and delicious food.

Melina Shannon-DiPietro, Executive Director of MAD, says: “At MAD, and in speaking with chefs from around the globe, I’m reminded over and over again that the restaurant world is driven by a sense of creativity, care, and hospitality. Their commitment to the environment is driven by that same values, and the UN’s ActNow campaign gives our restaurant community the opportunity to share their best practices and most creative discoveries with one another and the public.”

“All ingredients are blessings from nature – vegetables, fruits, seafood – these are all affected by climate change,” said Chef Katsuhiro Nakamura, FAO National Goodwill Ambassador for Japan. “That is a huge loss for us. We have to preserve nature. Disgracing nature ties in with climate change, and ultimately, affects what we eat.”

Climate change is affecting some of the essential ingredients used in the main meal of the day, said Italian celebrity chef Carlo Cracco. "My work with IFAD and farmers in Cambodia and Morocco shows that these family farmers need to adapt to climate change impacts now, and that working with IFAD adaptation to climate change can actually increase food security and income."

In addition to the chefs, the ActNow campaign is inviting people around the world to make their individual contribution to sustainable food consumption. The challenge is to cook up dishes that are not only delicious but also good for the planet and good for us – reducing meat and emphasizing diverse vegetarian ingredients instead.

New York-based Chef Grace Ramirez said, “Confronting the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but the ActNow food challenge offers a simple place to start -- your plate. With a few green hacks and tips on how to cook and entertain more sustainably, we can all make decisions that have less harmful effects on the environment.”

ActNow is the United Nations’ global call to individual action on climate change. The campaign is a critical part of the UN’s coordinated effort to raise awareness, ambition, and action for climate change and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The campaign began at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2018, when Sir David Attenborough launched the ActNow.bot. Taking advantage of technical innovation, the campaign harnesses advances in Artificial Intelligence to spur behavior change. The ActNow.bot recommends everyday actions to reduce our carbon footprints – like traveling more sustainably, saving energy or eating less meat.