The Food4Climate Pavilion aims to bring food system transformation and sustainable diets to the heart of COP27, mainstreaming a transition toward diverse and resilient food production and consumption systems.

The Pavilion will focus on proven climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions, including the shift towards plant-rich diets, adopting sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, and reducing food loss and waste.

With a strong focus on a just transition, the programme brings together diverse stakeholders to explore inclusive mechanisms to fundamentally transform food and farming systems to tackle climate, environmental and social challenges together.

What is the pavilion?

The Food4Climate pavilion is a 130 sqm2 space within the Blue Zone that will be open from Monday 7 November to Friday 18 November. Partnering organisations will host events to bring food system transformation and sustainable diets to the heart of COP27, mainstreaming a transition toward diverse and resilient food production and consumption systems.

Who are the organisations behind the Food4Climate pavilion?

The pavilion core organizers are A Well-Fed World, Compassion in World Farming, Food Tank, FOUR PAWS, IPES-Food (International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems) and ProVeg International. Core members are Brighter Green, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Humane Society International, Jeremy Coller Foundation and World Animal Protection.

The private sector is represented by Impossible Foods, Oatly, Upfield, ENOUGH and V2Food.

And 50by40, the Center for Earth Ethics, [email protected], the MENA Youth Network, Youth Loves Egypt, YOUNGO and PAN South Africa are also supporting the pavilion.

On top of that, organisations outside of the original consortium will also be hosting events at the pavilion (e.g. PAHPO, WWF, Rainforest Alliance, Global Forest Coalition etc.)

What are the main objectives of the Food4Climate pavilion?

• Bringing food system transformation and sustainable diets to the heart of COP27
• Mainstreaming a transition toward diverse and resilient food production and consumption systems as a key climate mitigation and adaptation solution
• Bringing diverse stakeholders together to discuss challenges and solutions

Why is it different from other pavilions?

For the first time, COP will be hosting several pavilions focusing on food systems and agriculture. This is a real breakthrough in history. The Food4Climate Pavilion will bring a strong focus on just transition and youth as well as on proven climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions, including the shift towards plant-rich diets, adopting sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, and reducing food loss and waste.

Why are there so many food-related pavilions at this year’s COP? 

Food systems and agriculture have been topics that the climate negotiation agenda has been avoiding for too long. Several groups of organisations have been advocating for a food system focus for years. The Egyptian Presidency has also placed agriculture firmly on the agenda by assigning an Agriculture Day at COP (Saturday 12 November). Then, this year we used that window of opportunity and organized civil society, scientific orgs, private sector, and foundations to come together to host several food pavilions. Actually, this is a really positive sign showing that these issues are finally being seen, challenged and discussed. We look forward to collaborating further with all the food-interested stakeholders at COP27 and to seeing cross-pavilion collaborations during the conference.

What are the 10 thematic days?

1. Youth Voices For Food
2. Farmers & Just Transition
3. Innovation & Protein Diversification
4. Animal Agriculture, Land Use & Emissions
5. Gender Equality & Women Empowerment in Food Systems
6. Forests, Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities
7. Loss & Waste in Food Systems
8. Healthy Food for Healthy Futures: Our Plates and Our Planet
9. Food Security: A Pressing Issue

In addition to this, on Saturday 12 November, we will have events related to the COP27 Egyptian Presidency Programme: Adaptation & Agriculture in Food Systems.

What are our key messages? 

• The Food4Climate Pavilion will highlight the critical yet overlooked need to transform our food systems to tackle the climate emergency.
• Science shows that climate targets will not be met without urgent food system transformation – including a significant shift away from animal-sourced foods towards more plant-rich diets in high consuming populations.
• We need action now that creates a just transition away from harmful resource-intensive agriculture and towards fair, healthy, humane, diverse and resilient food systems.
• It is important to not leave anyone behind. Let’s promote the empowerment of small-scale farmers, youth, Indigenous People, and women, who are being/will be negatively impacted by climate change.

What kind of events will we be organising? 

We will organise all types of events, from panel discussions to debates, from film screenings to receptions, from mini-conferences to award announcements. You won’t be disappointed, so come by and stay for a bit! 

Can I take part digitally or in-person? 

If you have access to COP27 and the Blue Zone, you will be able to attend our events in-person at the Food4Climate Pavilion (Area C, Pavilion 136).

If you’re not attending COP27, but are still interested in our events, they will all be livestreamed. Stay tuned for registration to details to be published on each day page! 

Or follow us on our Youtube Channel.

Where to find you exactly?

Zone C here circled in red!

Once you’re in this zone, you can find us here (also circled in red)

Will any food be served? 

We aim to host several receptions during the conference and there may be some finger food at those. However, the main purpose of the pavilion is to host discussions on food systems and agriculture, not to serve food. Nevertheless, we will be serving coffee from time to time, so feel free to drop by.

What will happen after the pavilion/after COP27?

The Food4Climate Pavilion will strengthen and expand the network of stakeholders interested in food systems change to all kinds of stakeholders (national delegates, UN agencies, private sector, civil society, youth and more) and help build common strategies for 2023 and beyond.

We will continue collaborating on projects outside of the conference as climate work doesn’t stop after COP! 

Why should I join/participate in the events?

If you eat food, you are a stakeholder in the food system! There is a seat at the table for you to join the conversation. Our events will be live streamed, interactive, and allow for networking and Q&A. Make yourself heard! 

That’s why we encourage you to join our events and participate as much as you can. We need more voices and discussions around food systems, agriculture and dietary change!

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Feel free to reach out to the team!

Food4Climate Programme

Core organizers

Core members

Supporters

Private Sector