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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the report, published earlier this month, a “code red for humanity”.
The IPCC’s sixth assessment report on climate change concludes it is “unequivocal” that human impact has warmed the planet, with time now running out to cut greenhouse gas emissions and avert catastrophic climate change. “Strong, rapid and sustained reductions” in methane emissions, which largely come from agriculture, are needed to limit the warming effect.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme said: “Every business, every investor and every citizen needs to play their part. This generation can make the systemic changes needed to stop the planet warming.”
With the Food Systems Summit and COP26 on the horizon, it’s critical that we make food part of the solution and transform how we produce and consume to keep warming within 1.5C.
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Best in class for "Serving Better"
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Eating Better is producing a guide to support local authorities to offer more sustainable menus, which will define a pathway to “less and better” meat in public procurement.
We are collecting case studies of “best in class” for the “Serving Better” guide. We want to showcase authorities and schools that have changed their menus to offer more sustainable options and to demonstrate that every “better” meal served in a public setting counts in helping to reach sustainability targets.
These case studies will demonstrate that menu swaps or tweaks are attainable and achievable and, when done at scale, can make a significant impact to the carbon footprint, as well as benefiting health outcomes and not adding to costs.
We’d like to hear about local sustainable sourcing by local authorities or schools who are doing great things to help pupils eat better. Please send examples to comms@eating-better.org
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An alliance working group has been established to put together a programme of events in a dedicated food and climate space at COP26. Led by Nourish Scotland, the event will take place a short distance from the COP site in Glasgow and will focus on “less and better” with a varied programme of activities.
Pete Richie of Nourish Scotland said: “The food and climate space is a unique opportunity for partners to create something really special at COP26 – 12 days where together we are saying and showing in many different ways how the food system is part of the climate problem but can also be a key part of the climate solution.”
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COP Events Manager - Nourish Scotland
Nourish Scotland is looking for an events manager to facilitate a partnership putting together a programme of food and climate events at COP. For more information and details on how to apply, visit their website. Application deadline: 18th August.
If you have any questions, contact Anna at anna@nourishscotland.org.uk.
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The IPCC 6th Assessment Report provides stark warnings on the climate crises - Soil Association
Soil Association’s Head of Food Policy, Rob Percival, looks at how agroecology can help tackle the issues presented in the new IPCC climate report. Read more.
Can a sustainable diet include meat? - Feedback
We need to eat significantly less meat but is it necessary to cut out meat and animal products from our diets completely? Read more.
Diets must change to tackle the climate crisis - Compassion in World Farming
Following the latest IPCC report, Compassion calls for reductions in meat and dairy with most of what we do eat coming from cattle raised on well-managed pastures where substantial amounts of carbon can be sequestered. Read more.
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New reports and research
The IPCC Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report - Published earlier this month is the starkest warning yet that human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented ways, signalling a “code red” for humanity. Read more here.
Thriving within our planetary means: reducing the UK’s footprint of production and consumption by 2030 - A new report from WWF finds the UK is fuelling this destruction of nature at home and abroad through our production and consumption, and must reduce its global footprint by three quarters by 2030 to meet planetary limits. Read more here.
Accelerating the 10 Critical Transitions: Positive Tipping points for food and land use systems transformation - Published last month by the Food and Land Use Coalition, this report provides a strategic framework for triggering systemic, positive tipping points to transform food and land use systems. Full report here
Our food system needs to be reimagined in a way that centres both ecological and social justice - A new report from Food Research UK looks at the fundamental role Sustainable Food Hubs could play in transitioning to a just, agroecological food systems. Download the report here.
Our climate is changing - The annual Met Office State of the UK climate report finds 2020 was third warmest, fifth wettest and eight sunniest on record for the UK. No other year has fallen in the top 10 for all three variables for the UK. Download the full report here.
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Events
Driving global youth action for climate adaptation in food systems
Wednesday 29th September 29, 1pm - 4pm CEST
The #Act4Food Youth event at Youth4Climate is intended for youth from all around the globe to participate and engage in efforts and movements around food security under a changing climate. Please share with relevant networks and sign up here.
Organic on the Road to 2030
Thursday 21st October, 3pm-5pm
This year’s Soil Association Certification Trade Conference will ask – how does organic hold answers to some of our biggest climate, nature and health crises? Join discussions on how organic can play its role in lowering the human impact on our planet. Sign up here.
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News Round-up
UK could become a nation of diners who choose vegetarian by default, UK experts predict - Less and better meat and dairy could become mainstream in Britain’s schools, hospitals and prisons with climate change accelerating the trend. iNews
Rewilding 5% of England could create 20,000 rural jobs - Rewilding on marginal land could bolster employment in rural communities by 50% compared with intensive farming, new research shows. The Guardian
Farm groups support recommendation to eat less meat - Following National Food Strategy recommendations, nature-friendly farming groups back “less is more” approach to livestock farming. Farmers Weekly
Regenerative farming shift could reduce UK climate emissions, say experts - Regenerative farming can play a pivotal role in reducing our climate emissions, boosting wildlife and enhancing soil health. The Guardian
Climate crisis: Can going vegan save the world? - As concern about environmental catastrophe deepens, what action must be taken to reduce the impact caused by our diets on the planet? Independent
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We invite you to share this newsletter with colleagues and friends and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome, so if you have an idea, get in touch!
With best wishes,
The Eating Better alliance team
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