Renewable energy for agri-food systems: towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement
Renewable energy solutions and integrated food-energy systems can advance both energy and food security, contribute to job creation, gender equality and climate action.
Recognizing this important link, FAO and IRENA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 to strengthen their collaboration regarding the deployment of renewable energy in agri-food, fisheries and forestry chains, and sustainable bioenergy.
On 4 November 2021 at COP 26, they will present and discuss the first results of this collaboration at the side event “Renewable energy for agri-food systems: towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement”.
The energy currently used in agri-food systems is unsustainable. Today, agri-food systems consume about 30% of world’s total available energy, mainly in the form of fossil fuels, and this energy represents about one third of greenhouse gas emissions from agri-food systems. At the same time, lack of energy access in developing countries affects food chains causing significant food losses, while also forcing people to rely on traditional wood energy with significant costs in terms of environmental degradation and health.
Alternatives to fossil fuel energy sources are needed to ensure that food systems are built on secure, environmentally sustainable and resilient foundations.
This event will discuss opportunities and challenges for renewable energy to sustainably transform food systems and support agricultural innovations.
Learn more here