Methane has 28 times more heating potential than CO2, but it has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere than CO2, that can persist for hundreds of years. This means decreasing methane emissions before 2030 has a huge potential for increasing the chances of reaching the 1,5ºC goal. Thus, it is crucial to accelerate actions to decrease methane emissions from their three main streams: fossil fuel extraction and distribution, industry, and food production. The projections from United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (UN FAO) for a business-as-usual pathway for food and agriculture to 2050 mean to heat up the world by an additional 0.32°C due to methane from farming. A recent report published by Greenpeace shows that it is possible to meaningfully slow down climate heating within our lifetime with a just food system transition out of industrial meat and dairy production, increasing plant-based food, in line with the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health diet. These and other proposals for action will be presented and discussed.
Objectives:
- Show new data about the importance of methane emissions for climate change coming from the food system.
- Discussion about possible policies and measures to change the current pathway.
Moderator
Simi Thambi. Climate Economist. FAIRR Initiative.
Speakers
- Reyes Tirado. Agri-Food Lead. Climate Bonds Initiative.
- Milena Sergeeva. Liaison Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean. Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA).
- Million Belay. Member. International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) and General Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).