The UN Climate Change Conference got underway in Copenhagen. Over the next two weeks, delegates from 192 countries will be negotiating targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in particular by developed countries.
Throughout the conference, food production and agriculture will be much discussed. As the Confederation of the Food and Drinks Industries of the EU (CIAA) points out in a paper prepared in advance of Copenhagen, the issues of climate change and food security are "intrinsically linked".
The CIAA calls for the assembled nations to undertake "all efforts to enable a legally binding, environmentally effective and globally equitable international agreement on climate change, covering the period 2013-2050". It believes "an ambitious agreement" is needed to address "the dual global challenge of food security and climate change".
The organisation says the food industry can be "part of the solution" but requires "a level playing-field at international level". A legally-binding global agreement on climate change is crucial for "preserving the international competitiveness of the EU manufacturing sector".
The food industry body believes fair international competition has to be safeguarded. "Healthy international competition for industry needs to be safeguarded on a global level," the CIAA states. "A process must be started so that industrial sectors exposed to international competition have equivalent obligations. If a comprehensive, legally-binding, global agreement cannot be reached in Copenhagen, it is essential that EU policy makers implement adequate support measures for EU industries in order to ensure the required cuts in GHG emissions in the EU while ensuring a level-playing field globally."
While the CIAA will clearly be doing its best to show how the food industry is making a positive contribution to tackling climate change and spreading best practice down supply chains, environmentalists and pressure groups will be expressing different views about the impact the industry is having on agriculture and the environment.
The CIAA’s task is therefore not only to show that the food industry is part of the solution but to demonstrate that it is not part of the problem.
Read a full coverage of this issue in just-food.com
Read CIAA's position on this issue in this document
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