The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), which takes place between October 31 and November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland, will have the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (Idec) participation to discuss healthy and sustainable food systems for the climate.

Organized by the Centre for Climate Change and Planetary Health in partnership with the Health and Climate Network and the World Obesity Federation, the event “Global Food 2050: How can we deliver the climate resilient, sustainable and healthy diets of the future?” will explore climate and sanitary solutions that enable a food system “from farm to mouth”.

The purpose of the discussion is to pave paths that benefit human health, reduce environmental impacts and curb ongoing climate change. Based on the “looking back from the future” (2050) approach, the event, which will be face-to-face and online, will bring a variety of civil society voices to COP26.

Experts from Idec, the Public Health Foundation of India, the Global Alliance for the Future of Food and the International Federation of Medical Student Associations will participate with an overview of science and solutions for healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient food systems. The seminar will be moderated by Dr Modi Mwatsama of the Wellcome Trust.

“The climate crisis poses risks to health and to food and nutrition security. These factors are interlinked, having many of the same determinants and solutions. The right to access to healthy food is universal, and we will only be able to mitigate climate change by making a transition from food systems to models that promote people’s health and the protection of the environment”, points out Janine Coutinho, coordinator of the Idec’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Program.

The event takes place from 11:15 am a 12:15 pm (Brasilia time) on November 2nd. To follow along, just access the broadcast link at the scheduled time. For more information, visit the website.

The Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection is also articulating with the organizations of the Climate Observatory to hold another event during COP26, this one focused on food systems in the Brazilian context.

Red alert

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, declared in August “red code for humanity”. In this sense, COP26 represents a space of first importance and priority, where the future of people and the planet will be negotiated.

Faced with these challenges, the Health and Climate Network launched a call for action with clear and direct demands addressed to world leaders present at the event. The document is signed by more than 40 organizations from different countries around the world, including Idec.

There are five proposed courses of action: providing renewable and clean energy for all, shifting to healthier and greener transport systems, transitioning to healthy food production models, building systems that help slow climate change, and finally, investing in the green economy.

Access the full document here.

Homework for banks

In addition to the discussion on healthy and sustainable food systems, Idec works on other topics that are on the agenda at COP26, such as the responsibilities of the financial sector related to environmental and humanitarian issues.

Institutions of this sector are responsible for paving the way for the end of development models that impact the health of people and the planet. Therefore, Idec, through the Responsible Banks Guide, signed a letter sent to Mark Carney, special representative for climate action and UN finance at COP26, asking for priority in the debate on the responsibility of banks around the world with regard to climate change .

Among the main measures stipulated in the document are the reduction of financing for fossil sources with measurable targets until 2030, the prohibition of financing new projects from fossil sources and zero financing for coal-fired thermal plants, in addition to ensuring prior, free and informed consent communities affected, especially indigenous people, by financial activities.

The most urgent law in the world

Idec is also working for the approval of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution on Climate Security, which provides for adding to the Federal Legislation ecological balance and climate security as fundamental rights of the Brazilian people.The goal is to get the support of 171 deputies by October 31, when COP26 starts. So far, the mobilization has secured the commitment of 142 parliamentarians. Take part, sign the petition and help the world’s most urgent law come true!