Sustainable Bites 6.12.23

And for the main… 

134 countries sign declaration to transform food and agriculture

On the second day of COP28, 134 countries – covering a huge 70% of the world's land – signed the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action. This is a commitment to integrating food into their individual national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) by 2025.  

Signing also means that these countries will: 

This is an enormous step forward on the path towards fighting the climate crisis. Food systems are responsible for at least one-third of global emissions.  

"There’s perhaps no bigger area where the world’s injustices play out than in our food," said Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO of World Resources Institute. "The launch of this declaration is the moment when food truly comes of age in the climate process, sending a powerful signal to the nations of the world that we can only keep the 1.5 degree goal in sight if we act fast to shift the global food system in the direction of greater sustainability and resilience.” 

International scientists unveil 10-point plan to combat climate crisis

A collective of leading researchers from 24 countries have worked together to present 10 new climate science insights that COP28 policymakers need to prioritise.

To mark COP28, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, has worked with Future Earth, the Earth League and the World Climate Research Programme to outline the latest climate-related trends and how they should be responded to.

Representing the work of 67 leading researchers, the new report outlines 10 areas that need to be considered at COP28 and beyond in response to the climate crisis. Its overall stance is that overshooting on the 1.5˚C target specified in the Paris Agreement is “becoming inevitable” and that we now need to work to minimise the difference between the target and our reality.

In stark contrast to astounding – and, frankly, embarrassing – remarks from the President of Cop28, Sultan Al Jaber (who is also Chief Executive of the UAE state oil company, Adnoc), the report also warns that keeping the Paris Agreement alive will require a “rapid and managed” fossil fuel phase-out. Al Jaber has been forced into defending his comments after the Guardian revealed his comment that there was “no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C”. 

Other highlights from the report include: 

EU Parliament rejects proposal to reduce pesticide use in Europe 

A majority of the European Parliament has effectively rejected the Commission proposal to reduce the use of pesticides in the EU.

Following a debate on November 21st, 299 MEPs voted to reject the Commission’s proposal, with 207 supporting the proposal and 121 abstaining – despite a wide scientific consensus on the need to phase out pesticides, as well as support from the public.

With this vote, Parliament has effectively rejected the Commission proposal and closed its first reading. The Council still has to decide on its own position on the proposal to determine whether it is definitively rejected or returns to Parliament for a second reading.

Changes announced for UK immigration system will worsen staff shortages 

The UK Home Office has announced a number of changes to the country’s immigration system that are likely to exacerbate staffing problems in hospitality sector.

In 2024, the minimum salary needed to get a skilled worker visa will rise from £26,200 to £38,700. The Shortage Occupation List will be replaced with a new Immigration Salary List. This new List will be reviewed against these increased salary thresholds by the Migration Advisory Committee, reducing the number of occupations on the list.

Chief Executive of UKHospitality Kate Nicholls said, “The Government seem to be running out of answers to fix the UK’s long-running labour market shortages. These changes will further shrink the talent pool that the entire economy will be recruiting from, and only worsen the shortages hospitality businesses are facing.

“Around three-quarters of hospitality’s workforce is filled from within the UK but international talent has always been attracted to work in the UK, due to our pedigree for hospitality and developing careers. These critical workers also bring with them a wealth of experience and skills to help further enhance our world-leading hospitality sector.

She observed that there were 8,500 hospitality visas issued last year, bringing in many talented chefs and managers that are crucial for the future of the industry. Around 95% of those would no longer be eligible for visas under the new plans.

“We urgently need to see an immigration system that is fit-for-purpose and reflects both the needs of business and the labour market. The system at the moment does none of that,” she concluded.