COP28 updates: what's in it for Uganda and Kenya

I have long been a sceptic of climate conferences like COP28, and seeing this on my Google search did not help:

A funny Google Search of 'COP28 food'. Screenshot by Yi Xi Kang.

Seems like many participants are more interested in the food on offer at the conference than its implications for agricultural systems globally. Not to mention how the UAE, with one of the highest carbon emissions per capita (21.79 tons in 2021), is now talking about 'sustainable' restaurants serving steak and lamb. 

A traditional meal in Uganda. It is fully vegetarian. Photo: Yi Xi Kang.

Cynicism apart, let's now look at what has been discussed thus far with regards to food production: 

• The Loss and Damages Fund is definitely happening with estimated US $430 million being pledged. All African countries could stand to benefit, and agricultural technology or climate-resistant crops are one of the possible uses of the fund. This amount pales in comparison to the US $7 trillion in global fossil fuel subsidies last year. 
• CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research), the world's largest agricultural research organisation, has received US $890 million in funding for research into sustainable food systems and improve adaptability among smallholder farmers. CGIAR has worked with many local communities in East Africa to improve agricultural productivity. 
• An initiative regarding preserving indigenous knowledges of biodiversity has been started by IUCN, the Indigenous Information Network (IIFB) and mapping company Esri. Act30 aims to protect 30% of the globe's lands and seas by 2030, up from the current 15% of land and 7.4% of oceans. Indigenous knowledge of how the local flora and fauna interact is essential for creating more climate-resilient food systems, like agroforestry systems. 
• The US and Turkmenistan, among the world's largest methane producers, have joined the Global Methane Pledge to cut their emissions. Methane is up to 80 times as potent as CO2 as a greenhouse gas in 20 years (Moss et al., 2000). Cattle rearing contributes around 17% of the world's methane emissions annually. Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya are all large cattle rearing countries, with cattle responsible for 75% of Uganda's greenhouse gas emissions (Kiggundu et al., 2019). Technologies to reduce methane emissions should be shared with these East African countries. 

Ankole cattle, the native cow breed in most of East Africa. Photo: sarahemcc. 

I will be following the Food Pavillion for more talks, which has events every single day of the conference. Here is also a useful infographic on the history of COPs. Let's hope for more good news!

 

References

Carbon Pulse (2023). COP28: Initiative launches in bid to bring indigenous knowledge to the heart of global biodiversity planning. Available at: https://carbon-pulse.com/241570/ (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

CGIAR (2023). Continental Africa. Available at: https://www.cgiar.org/research/cgiar-regions/continental-africa/ (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

Food Pavilion (2023). Tackling the food and climate crises, together. Available at: https://foodpavilion.org/ (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (2023). COP28: A visual guide. Available at: https://eciu.net/analysis/infographics/cop28-explainer-infographic (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

IUCN (2023). Global initiative to conserve 30% of the planet guided by indigenous knowledge launches at COP28. Available at: https://www.iucn.org/news/202312/global-initiative-conserve-30-planet-guided-indigenous-knowledge-launches-cop28-0 (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

Kiggundu, N., Ddungu, S. P., Wanyama, J., Cherotich, S., Mpairwe, D., Zziwa, E., Mutebi, F., & Falcucci, A. (2019). Greenhouse gas emissions from Uganda’s cattle corridor farming systems. Agricultural Systems, 176, 102649.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan (2023). Turkmenistan joined the global methane pledge. Available at: https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/4242 (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

Moss, A. R., Jouany, J. P., & Newbold, J. (2000). Methane production by ruminants: its contribution to global warming. Annales de Zootechnie, 49(3), 231–253.

Reuters (2023). Explainer: Global fossil fuel subsidies on the rise despite calls for phase-out. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/global-fossil-fuel-subsidies-rise-despite-calls-phase-out-2023-11-23/ (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

Sarahemcc (2006). Ankole cattle. Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarah_mccans/289737623/ (Accessed 30 Dec 2023).

Statista (2023). Per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2022, by country. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/270508/co2-emissions-per-capita-by-country/ (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

The Conversation (2023). COP28 climate summit just approved a ‘loss and damage’ fund. What does this mean? Available at: https://theconversation.com/cop28-climate-summit-just-approved-a-loss-and-damage-fund-what-does-this-mean-218999 (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).

The Guardian (2023). US outlines measures to cut methane emissions by 80% in next 15 years. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/02/us-outlines-measures-to-cut-methane-emissions-by-80-in-next-15-years (Accessed 4 Dec 2023).