The 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (also known as COP16), which was held from 21 October to 1 November in Cali, Colombia, represented a critical move forward in the UN’s global efforts to mitigate and reverse biodiversity loss. The conference brought together governments, NGOs, businesses, and other stakeholders in order to tackle biodiversity issues and develop strategies for a more sustainable future.
This year, ProVeg International participated in the conference as an official observer for the first time, underscoring the growing recognition of the vital role that food systems play in biodiversity discussions. Our involvement highlighted ProVeg’s mission to drive food-system change around the world and advocate for plant-based solutions as a central mechanism in resolving the parallel environmental crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Here’s what we got up to at the conference:
We engaged with Brazilian policymakers about food systems: ProVeg Brasil, together with the Brazilian Vegetarian Society, presented a letter to Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, stressing the critical need to incorporate food systems into the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions and other policies for climate action. Silva acknowledged ProVeg’s position and indicated that food systems will in fact be a priority in Brazil’s upcoming policies, following a recent public consultation that overwhelmingly supported this focus. This successful dialogue highlighted the growing willingness among policymakers to address food-system issues, while being a good example of the tangible impact that advocacy can have on national environmental strategies.
We helped to empower young people for a sustainable future: At ProVeg, we recognise the need to engage with and empower young leaders in the fight for biodiversity and sustainable food systems. Our ProVeg Youth Board members attended the UN Conference, bringing fresh perspectives and amplifying the voices of young people around the world . Through the involvement of the youth board, we hope to inspire more young advocates to join the movement for a food system that will sustain both people and the planet.
Erika Xananine Calvillo Ramirez, ProVeg Youth Board Alumnus by ProVeg InternationalWe called out the Conference for having unsustainable options on its catering menus: Despite the fact that beef is one of the leading drivers of deforestation and biodiversity loss, it was nonetheless on the catering menu at the UN Biodiversity Conference, with menu options including grilled or roasted Angus beef. Cattle ranching accounts for an estimated 41% of the world’s tropical deforestation, devastating the ecosystems that are vital to biodiversity. ProVeg’s Lana Weidgenant publicly criticised this choice, calling it a “disappointing” oversight that underscores the need for consistency between policy discussions and practices at global climate events such as the annual Biodiversity Conference and the COP Climate Events. This once more highlights the gap between identifying and acknowledging environmental issues and implementing meaningful solutions – a gap that ProVeg always tries to address by promoting plant-based alternatives in both public discussions and catering practices.
We expanded the conversation beyond food production: While the conference addressed various key biodiversity issues, the discussions around food systems focused largely on agroecology and sustainable production practices, leaving the vital consumption-side of our food system unexplored. ProVeg stressed the need for a more holistic approach, advocating for healthy, sustainable, and plant-rich diets as a critical element in reducing humanity’s ecological footprint. With 82% of agricultural land devoted to animal-based food production, a significant shift toward plant-based food is essential for preserving biodiversity and fostering a resilient and diverse food system. But without securing the buy-in of consumers, such a shift is unlikely to happen at scale.
We bridged the gaps in the global biodiversity framework: Target 16 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (which was an outcome of the 2022 conference and which includes 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action by 2030) aims to reduce food waste and promote sustainable consumption. However, the framework overlooks the considerable impact that a shift to plant-rich diets could have on these goals. ProVeg’s presence at the 2024 Conference served as a reminder that while addressing food loss and sustainable consumption is crucial, the broader impact of our food choices on both the environment and human health also needs to be considered.
Looking ahead
Our participation at the UN Biodiversity Conference was an energising experience for the team. We engaged with key actors and secured opportunities to advance critical conversations in the coming months and years. We remain committed to advocating for plant-based diets as a necessary cornerstone of effective biodiversity strategies, and will continue to work toward transforming the world’s food systems in order to improve the health of the world’s ecosystems and all who rely on them.
To stay connected with ProVeg’s ongoing work and learn more about how we’re shaping the conversation around food systems and biodiversity, please follow us on social media.
