On the 6th of November, COP26 Nature Day, 100 local governments will come together to present the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration in the Glasgow City Chambers.
With food systems accounting for one third of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear that the Paris Agreement will not be met without addressing food systems. COP26 must deliver the significant transformation needed to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, and place food at the forefront of the climate debate.
The Glasgow Declaration gathers the most forward thinking subnational and local authorities with a pledge to accelerate the development of integrated food policies, and calls on national governments to act.
Initiated by IPES-Food and Nourish Scotland in collaboration with Glasgow City Council, ICLEI, C40, the Under2 Coalition and a range of other partners, the Declaration brings together 100 subnational governments from across six continents, including Solo, Indonesia, Antananarivo, Madagascar, London, UK, Paris, France, Washington, DC, USA, and São Paulo, Brazil, and Scotland.
The Glasgow Declaration is presented by Leader of Glasgow City, Cllr Susan Aitken, followed by a high-level panel discussion featuring remarks from Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing & Local Government, and will be moderated by Ms Hilal Elver, former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food and representative of the City of Istanbul. Signatories from around the world will attend in person and virtually.
Pete Ritchie, Director of Nourish Scotland, said, “The Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration unites the very best of subnational government innovation on integrated food and climate action.
“These signatories are setting the standard for food systems approaches that integrate policy across competing departments and levels of governance, and as a result are making strides in sustainability, nature restoration, and health and socioeconomic advances.”
Olivier De Schutter, Co-chair of IPES-Food and UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, noted “Local governments have not hesitated to take charge and act ambitiously around food procurement, food waste, access to land, or food environments, all while ensuring participation of and accountability to their citizens.
But these local efforts need national and international support. The Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration is a major step forward in calling for a comprehensive and multi-level approach for food systems change in climate negotiations. It’s time for national and international decision-makers to heed this call and act with equal ambition.”
“We are delighted to welcome Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government to the event to celebrate the pioneering signatories on behalf of the lead signatory, the Scottish Government,” Pete Ritchie added
“With the eyes of the world on Glasgow, the Declaration sends a message – take inspiration from these local actions and put food and farming at the heart of the global response to the climate emergency.”
Claire Pritchard, Chair of the London Food Board Chair, said,“It is fantastic that the Mayor of London is signing the Glasgow Declaration alongside other city leaders.
“Governments need to take food emissions seriously to avoid risking catastrophic climate outcomes, and it’s really encouraging to see leadership from London.
“Our city has a wonderful food culture and now food must help lead a transition out of the climate emergency.”
