"Food's First Net Zero Plan Urges Rich World to Reduce Meat Consumption"

The United Nations' Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) is set to release the first comprehensive plan to align the global agrifood industry with the Paris climate agreement. The plan, expected to be published during the COP28 summit, will urge developed nations to reduce their meat consumption while encouraging developing countries to improve their livestock farming practices. Food systems contribute to about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock farming being a major source of methane, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. The FAO's plan, although non-binding, aims to inform policy and investment decisions and accelerate the food industry's climate transition. The guidance on meat consumption is intended to send a clear message to governments, even though politicians in wealthier nations tend to avoid policies that influence consumer behavior. The FAO's plan will also address issues such as weather adaptation, food waste, and fertilizer use, and will be rolled out in three parts over the next few years.