UNEA-4 outcome documents mention the One Planet network and sustainable food systems
The theme of the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly was “Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production”. Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and food related topics were high on the agenda, with a number of side events, as well as several conference resolutions focused on, inter alia, sustainable consumption and production; food loss and waste; biodiversity and land degradation; and rangelands and pastoralism.
Several mentions of the One Planet network (10YFP) were included in final outcome documents after several days of negotiations. The Ministerial Declaration of the United Nations Environment Assembly reads:
“We will advance sustainable consumption and production patterns, including, but not limited to, through circular economy and other sustainable economic models and the implementation of 10YFP”
“We will promote sustainable food systems by encouraging the implementation of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, improving value generation, and significantly reducing waste and energy use along the food supply chain to help to ensure food security and ecosystem functions and services”.
Further, the resolution on SCP has several references to the 10YFP, and the resolution on food loss and waste reduction contains specific mentions of the One Planet SFS Programme:
- Recognizes the SFS Programme;
- Recalls that the Ministerial Declaration of the 2018 HLPF called upon all stakeholders to adopt a sustainable food systems approach and to develop effective strategies and innovations to reduce food losses and waste; and
- Requests UNEP to assist member states in implementing the resolution within the SFS Programme and in collaboration with FAO.
This further strengthens the Programme’s mandate to act as a mechanism to promote the transformation towards more sustainable food systems.
