COP26: Comment on nature and farming pledge

Commenting on the news that forty-five governments are to pledge urgent action and investment to protect nature and shift to more sustainable ways of farming at the COP26 Nature and Land-Use Day, Matt Williams, Climate and Land Programme Lead at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: "Food and farming have largely been missing from this summit so far and are missing from many countries' 2030 climate plans. This deal plants the seeds for food and farming to be considered serious parts of the route to net zero emissions. Only through a transition in the way we grow and eat food will we have a chance of restoring nature and keeping temperature rises to 1.5C.

"Many farmers have come to Glasgow to talk about what they're already doing to cut their climate impact, and to ask for a seat at the table. Consumers are increasingly vocal about imported food that's connected to deforestation overseas, and governments and companies are hearing this message. These government pledges to change how they incentivise farmers, and supermarket promises to cut their impact, can serve up a result that's good for people, nature, and the climate."