Continuing our earlier activities at COP26 and COP27, we’re starting a bit early in 2023 to push for climate-friendly food at the UN climate change conference.
This Earth Day (22 April) we addressed an open letter to the COP28 Presidency—with YOUNGO’s Food & Agriculture Working Group and organizational support from ProVeg International—asking for a sustainable, predominantly plant-based catering menu. At that time, over 140 youth and civil society organizations endorsed the letter, strongly encouraging that at COP28:
1. At least ¾ of all food options are plant-based
2. All food options are affordable, nutritious, regionally sourced (where feasible), and culturally inclusive
3. A clear emissions label is displayed for all food options
…despite persistent demands from attendees, especially youth, the food on offer at these events has been out of step with the climate emergency.
‘Global youth call for climate-friendly food at COP28’ Letter Submission
The video below (originally posted to Instagram Reels) features young climate activists and YOUNGO members from the MENA region, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, East Asia, and Europe, speaking in the 6 official UN languages to reflect the global nature of this effort.
We wish for the food served at the formal climate change negotiations to reflect the urgency of the triple planetary crisis with a strong focus on equity.