World Food Day-- 16 October 2024
Food is a basic need and a fundamental human right.
Our world produces more than enough food for everyone on this planet. Yet over 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet.
This scarcity paradox has its roots in food waste and distribution flaws that leave too many people, including children, hungry and malnourished.
While we continue to produce an abundance of food that goes to waste, the crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution continues to undermine the natural foundation without which agriculture would collapse.
Agrifood systems cannot function without biodiversity-dependent ecosystem services such as pollination, the regulation of soil organisms and protection against pests and diseases.
Ironically, the same agrifood systems harbor the drivers of ecosystem degradation.
Unless we change our ways, the food scarcity paradox will simply turn into food scarcity.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework—the KMGBF— recognizes the need to transform our agrifood systems, for the sake of people and nature.
The achievement of the SDGs –including the Goals related to food security –is hardwired into many targets of the KMGBF.
Living in harmony with nature – the Framework’s overall objective - can only happen with sustainable agrifood systems.
Smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples and local communities, youth, and women farmers are at the forefront of this endeavour. We must support them.
Governments are in the driver’s seat. But we can all sow the seeds of sustainability through zero-waste lifestyle choices, and biodiversity-minded investment decisions.
On World Food Day and every day, let us reflect on what is at stake and act accordingly.
More information:
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Related Targets in The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Reduce pollution risks and the negative impact of pollution from all sources, by 2030, to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, considering cumulative effects, including: reducing excess nutrients lost to the environment by at least half including through more efficient nutrient cycling and use; reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half including through integrated pest management, based on science, taking into account food security and livelihoods; and also preventing, reducing, and working towards eliminating plastic pollution.
Why is this target important?
Pollution is one of the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss. Pollution can take various forms. However globally, pollution from nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals and plastics has been found to have particularly harmful impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services.
Links to other elements of the Biodiversity Plan and other frameworks and processes
- Actions to reach Target 7 should take into account all of the considerations for implementation identified in section C of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Progress towards this target will help to reach Goal A of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It will also help to reach targets 4 and 10. Conversely, progress towards targets 1, 11, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 will help to reach this target.
- Target 7 addresses issues previously considered under Aichi Biodiversity Target 8.
- Elements of Target 7 are also addressed in the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including targets 3.9, 6.3, 11.6, 12.4, 12.5 and 14.1.
- Target 7 also links to other international processes addressing pollution, including the World Health Organization, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the ongoing discussions under Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution.
Ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, in particular through the sustainable use of biodiversity, including through a substantial increase of the application of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable intensification, agroecological and other innovative approaches contributing to the resilience and long-term efficiency and productivity of these production systems and to food security, conserving and restoring biodiversity and maintaining nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services.
Why is this target important?
Agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are globally important production systems that have varying impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. The variety and variability of animals, plants and microorganisms used in these systems is an important aspect of biodiversity. Further, in many countries, activities associated with these production systems are important elements of human well-being and economic activity. However, the increasing demand for food, fibre and fuel is leading to increasing losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services, making sustainable management in these systems an urgent requirement. On the other hand, sustainable management not only contributes to biodiversity conservation but can also deliver benefits to production systems in terms of ecosystem services such as soil fertility, erosion control, enhanced pollination and reduced pest outbreaks, as well as contributing to the well-being and sustainable livelihoods of people engaged in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry activities.
Links to other elements of the Biodiversity Plan and other frameworks and processes
- Actions to reach Target 10 should take into account all of the considerations for the implementation identified in section C of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- This target will contribute to the attainment of goals A and B of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Further progress towards this target will facilitate the attainment of targets 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 16. Conversely, the attainment of this target will be facilitated by actions to reach targets 1, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.
- Target 10 addresses issues previously covered by Aichi Biodiversity targets 6 and 7
- Elements of Target 10 are also addressed in the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including targets 2.3, 2.4, 12.1, 12.2, 14.7 and 15.2.
Ensure that people are encouraged and enabled to make sustainable consumption choices including by establishing supportive policy, legislative or regulatory frameworks, improving education and access to relevant and accurate information and alternatives, and by 2030, reduce the global footprint of consumption in an equitable manner, including through halving global food waste, significantly reducing overconsumption and substantially reducing waste generation, in order for all people to live well in harmony with Mother Earth.
Why is this target important?
Unsustainable consumption is an underlying driver of biodiversity loss. Halting and ultimately reversing biodiversity loss will require a shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns. This means consuming resources and producing waste at a level within planetary boundaries. Governments have a central role to play in making information available and accessible to consumers who, in turn, can make better and more informed consumption choices.
Links to other elements of the Biodiversity Plan and other frameworks and processes.
- Actions to reach Target 16 should take into account all of the considerations for implementation identified in section C of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Progress towards this target will help to reach goals A and B of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Progress towards this target will also help to reach targets 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Conversely progress towards targets 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 will facilitate progress towards this target.
- Elements of this target were previously addressed in Aichi Biodiversity targets 1 and 4
- Elements of Target 16 are also addressed in the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including targets 4.7, 8.4, 9.4, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.5, 12.8 and 12.a
- Elements of this target are addressed in UNEA resolution 5/14 to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution
- Target 16 also links to processes under the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, a global commitment by the 193 United Nations Member states to accelerate a shift to sustainable consumption and production.
