Nutrition at COP22, the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco

From 7- 18 November 2016, the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) was held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The event featured two weeks of inclusive activities and side-events that featured almost 500 Heads of State and Government, delegations and participants from around the world. More than 30,000 delegates participated in the Blue Zone (United Nations spaces) and an estimated 20,000 in the Green Zone (Innovation and Civil Society Spaces). The City of Marrakech welcomed numerous climate related and cultural activities including the Marrakech Climate Show, Akon’s concert “Light to Live,” and the Women’s Leadership Summit.

COP22 follows the milestone COP21 meeting in 2015 during which important progress was made. It focused on action items in order to achieve the priorities of The Paris Agreement, especially related to adaptation, transparency, technology transfer, mitigation, capacity building and loss and damages. Delegates of COP22 agreed on 2018 as the final date for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

We need to translate the words of the Paris Agreement into concrete policies and actions”

Ban Ki-moon at #COP22

“We need to translate the words of the #ParisAgreement into concrete policies and actions” – Ban Ki-moon at #COP22 pic.twitter.com/NBRzJEZiUQ

— UN Climate Action (@UNFCCC) 22 novembre 2016

As of COP22, more than 110 Parties had ratified The Paris Agreement providing a key political signal towards global commitment to climate action. Participating countries released a strong joint statement, the Marrakech Action Proclamation (Marrakech action proclamation for our climate and sustainable development), which underlined an ‘Irreversible’ Momentum and reiterated their determination to implement the Paris Agreement.

We welcome the Paris Agreement, adopted under the Convention, its rapid entry into force, with its ambitious goals, its inclusive nature and its reflection of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances, and we affirm our commitment to its full implementation.”

Marrakech Action Proclamation

Participants also expressed their support for the ‘Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action’  which seeks to increase the scale of emissions reductions that will be achieved by 2020.

In 2017, COP23 will be presided over by Fiji and held in Bonn, Germany and in 2018, COP24 will take place in Poland. On that occasion, states will have to present national climate plans, and be more ambitious in their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

SIDE EVENTS

Sustainable Food Systems and Agro-ecological Resilience for Biodiversity & Health

On 14 November 2016, IFOAM – Organics International held the event ” Sustainable Food Systems and Agro-ecological Resilience for Biodiversity & Health”. It provided a forum to explore best practices for biodiversity conservation for health and nutrition through the promotion of sustainable and healthy food systems. It focused on agro-ecological resilience and the adoption of a climate justice approach in the context of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Agenda.

Learn more about the event here 

Agriculture and Food Security Action Event

On 16 November 2016, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Kingdom of Morocco organized an Agriculture and Food Security Action Event: “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change for Food Security”. This event marked the unveiling of three new initiatives to showcase the enormous potential of the agriculture sector for climate actions.

Just met Mary Robinson on El Niño impact and possible collaboration with @SUN_Movement country teams for early action+effective response. pic.twitter.com/Ot0pNCFZ3j

— Gerda Verburg (@GerdaVerburg) November 14, 2016

Learn more about the event here

Download the agenda

Climate Resilience for Agriculture and Food Security and Zero Hunger

On 16 November 2016, the event “Climate Resilience for Agriculture and Food Security and Zero Hunger” took place at the Marrakech Climate Change Conference (COP22), presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank Group and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Climate Resilience for Agriculture and Food Security and Zero Hunger from IISD Reporting Services / ENV on Vimeo.

Re-framing Food and Agriculture: From Degeneration to Regeneration

On 18 November 2016, the event “Re-framing Food and Agriculture: From Degeneration to Regeneration” took place at the Marrakech Climate Change Conference (COP 22), organized by Regeneration International, Organic Consumers Association, IFOAM Organic International, Shumei International, and Biovision Foundation. The event featured a panel of agricultural and food experts, community leaders, and farmers from around the world who are leading the charge of regenerative food and farming initiatives.

Re-framing Food and Agriculture: From Degeneration to Regeneration from IISD Reporting Services / ENV on Vimeo.