COP27 photo essay: Reflections on the world’s largest climate conference, and what’s next

Food, agriculture, and alternative proteins seized the spotlight at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Here’s our top 20 (+1 bonus) moments, milestones, and mission-critical next steps.
A photo of a sunset landscape

Turning up the volume on calls for food system change

From November 6-18, world leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers from around the world came together in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt to rally political will, science-based solutions, and bold action toward addressing the global climate challenge. While there remains much to do and finite time to do it, COP27 raised the volume on the call for change—with calls for food systems change louder than ever.  

At COP26, food and agriculture were peripheral at best, with little attention paid to the climate impacts of our food system. This year, due to the efforts of GFI and a host of organizational partners, food earned a top spot on the COP27 agenda, with alternative proteins featured as an essential solution for meeting climate, food security, global health, and biodiversity goals. 

As one of nine co-hosts of the first-ever Food Systems Pavilion and a contributor to multiple others, GFI was there alongside policymakers, private sector practitioners, nonprofits, youth, and indigenous leaders to put forth solutions to meet the moment. In the months leading up to COP27, we conducted in-depth assessments of country-level climate goals, identifying regionally relevant ways that alternative proteins can bolster action plans to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Our central, unifying prompt: what if we could build a more resilient, net-zero, nature-positive food system that still provides people with the foods they love?

Here’s our top moments, milestones, and mission-critical next steps:

Wfo’s elizabeth nsimadala delivers a keynote address on the importance of food system transformation

#1 Talking alt proteins on opening day of COP27

Nov. 6: On the opening day plenary of COP27, GFI Brazil’s managing director Gus Guadagnini and Infarm CEO Sudhanshu Sarronwala listen in as Elizabeth Nsimadala, World Food Organization board member, delivers a keynote address on the importance of food system transformation given the all-too-real challenges of water scarcity, nature loss, and food insecurity. Cutting right to the chase on Day 1, Gus called on governments around the world to invest in alternative proteins: “Alternative proteins are one of the most important solutions to reach climate resilience. We need to invest at least $10 billion a year in alternative protein research, development, and commercialization to get this solution to the scale the world needs.” As a co-host of the Food Systems Pavilion, GFI led and co-led multiple sessions like this one throughout the two-week conference, and brought together representatives from The Nature Conservancy, World Economic Forum, World Resources Institute, and other NGOs, government agencies, and indigenous and youth leaders to focus on actions, strategies, and solutions that have the potential to drive the transformation toward healthier, more resilient, and more equitable food systems.

Working together toward a brighter food future

As we reflect on this global gathering—acknowledging all the ways in which the world is still falling short as well as the bright signs of solutions and progress—we find ourselves more committed than ever to a future where alternative proteins are no longer alternative.

Near the end of COP, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization issued a new report on bioeconomies, with a solid nod the role of food in humanity’s future: “In addition to climate mitigation gains, new food sources could reduce pressure on forests and land used for feed, support the preservation of biodiversity and planetary health, and contribute to preventing forms of malnutrition in developing countries.” Indeed.  

GFI’s work at COP27, as well as its year-round work with scientists, businesses, and policymakers across the global food system, is powered by philanthropy. Thanks to our donors, we are able to advance the alternative protein ecosystem by focusing on solutions that are global, tractable, and high-impact.

If you are interested in learning more about giving to GFI, please visit here or contact philanthropy@gfi.org.

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The good food future

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Authors

Ingrid eck

Ingrid Eck SENIOR MANAGER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAMMING

Ingrid Eck develops strategies to strengthen the organization’s events and community-building function. Areas of expertise: event design and management, stakeholder engagement, coalition building

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Mariana Bernal

Mariana Bernal is the policy analyst for GFI Brazil. She works directly with government agents and public policymakers, to foster communication between the government and market agents and collaborate with local, global and multilateral players to ensure that the current regulatory framework allows for the full development of Brazil’s alternative protein sector.