The Commonwealth Secretariat in London hosted a roundtable, bringing together over 80 experts to discuss food security and climate finance. Addressing the urgent need for collaboration, key outcomes included recommendations for innovative agricultural practices, improved data management, and reinforced climate finance strategies. The discussions aimed to enhance food systems and ensure equitable access to resources, reflecting the urgency of the global food and climate crisis.
At the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, over 80 experts convened to address the urgent challenges of food security and climate finance. This event, the Roundtable on Climate Finance and Food Security, was organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology. Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasized the critical nature of these issues in her opening remarks, highlighting the insufficient pace of climate finance in relation to climate challenges.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology of Nigeria, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, highlighted the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy, which generates 25% of GDP and supports 70% of livelihoods. He noted that despite being the top producer of cassava, the sector faces significant threats such as deforestation and desertification, which jeopardizes food security.
Participants learned from international NGOs about the distinction between agriculture and food security. They noted that increased tobacco farming in East Africa illustrates that mere land cultivation does not guarantee food production. The relationship linking climate change, land use, health, and nutrition is intricate and requires urgent attention.
During the roundtable, participants engaged in discussions to bridge climate-smart agriculture with global capital, examining the complexities of carbon credits. One delegate from Kenya stressed the importance of establishing trust and a solid track record to enhance the credibility of carbon credit initiatives. A delegate from India proposed that incorporating “soil quality” into food labels could serve as an incentive for improved farming practices.
The dialogue highlighted challenges in navigating policy frameworks, emphasizing the necessity for cross-departmental collaboration to secure food systems and accessible data for climate finance. Digitalization was recognized as a vital tool for advancing climate-smart agricultural practices, underscoring the need for capacity-building efforts to facilitate data coordination among countries.
The outcomes from the roundtable stressed a need for comprehensive approaches to national food systems, coupled with a focus on enhancing infrastructure and technology. The discussions recommended better soil management, improved water irrigation practices, effective production systems, and adequate storage facilities to combat food shortages. Additionally, the necessity for quality data collection, including details on weather patterns and post-harvest losses, was emphasized.
Other critical issues raised included market access challenges, the promotion of clean cooking solutions, and the demand for equitable, gender-responsive climate finance initiatives. The Commonwealth Secretariat will utilize these findings to develop cross-sectional programs and leverage experiences from the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub to mobilize necessary funding for these initiatives.
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s roundtable successfully convened experts to explore the intertwined issues of food security and climate finance. With urgent action needed, crucial conversations on effective agricultural practices, better data management, and climate adaptation strategies highlighted the complexity of these challenges. The outcomes serve as a foundation for reinforced efforts to strengthen food systems and ensure equitable access to climate financing, ultimately aiming for long-term sustainability.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
