Journalist Jan Rübel spoke with Joao Campari ahead of the UNFSS Pre-Summit. The Chair of Action Track 3 highlights key challenges in transforming existing food systems towards sustainable production and shares his expectations for the Summit.
Joao Campari is Global Leader of WWF's Food Practice, leading the Network´s efforts to enhance the sustainability of the global food system. His primary areas of focus are sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, sustainable diets, and food loss and waste. Joao is also the Chair of the UN Food Systems Summit Action Track 3, on boosting nature-positive production. Prior to WWF, Joao was Special Sustainability Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil, where he also served as President of the Low-Carbon Agriculture Platform and as Executive Secretary of the Agribusiness Commission on Sustainable Development. Joao holds a Ph.D. in environmental economics and his research and publications focus on the nexus of rural poverty and natural resources management in agricultural frontiers.
Mr. Campari, what is your overall assessment of the UNFSS process so far, leading up to the Pre-Summit?
So far the Summit has been successful in engaging stakeholders from all across food systems. This Summit is a People´s Summit and through an open process, there have been more than 2,000 solutions submitted to the five Action Tracks that, together, work to improve human health, increase awareness of healthier and more sustainable diets, boost nature-positive production, improve livelihoods and create more resilience to vulnerabilities and shocks. These solutions were harvested globally via Public Forums, online surveys, Food Systems Summit Dialogues and direct engagement of stakeholders. It has been very exciting to see some of the innovative thinking – and to see so many people, from different parts of the world involved in food systems in different ways, share opinions on how we can accelerate and scale systemic transformation.
You are the chair of Action Track 3, which aims to boost nature-positive production systems operating within planetary boundaries. What are the main challenges in achieving this goal?
The main issues are the structural lock-ins that keep the current unsustainable food production system in place. These lock-ins include investments and policies that incentivise or reward unsustainable practices; expectation of low food prices; concentration of power with a small group of players; and unequal access to technology. We have to address these structural issues if we are to achieve food systems transformation. To feed a growing population, decision makers tend to focus on how to increase productivity to end hunger, but generally do not take into account the full range of costs associated with production, such as the cost of deforestation. There is a way to produce food with nature (not against it!) and this is what we call nature-positive production. It´s a way of producing food that works for people and for nature.
One of the ideas submitted to Action Track 3 is to develop a “Codex Planetarius” to determine a set of minimum environmental standards to govern global food trade. What is the Codex Planetarius, what problems does it address and how realistic is the implementation of such an idea?
The Codex Planetarius proposes a minimum set of environmental standards that would be applied to global food trade. It is the environmental equivalent to the Codex Alimentarius which regulates food safety and hygiene to protect people. The issue is that, today, global environmental trade standards or regulations for food that enters the global market are mostly missing. Given the huge flows of food across borders, a Codex Plaentarius would help accelerate the transition to nature-positive production. Of course, it is not easy to implement – it takes concerted and coordinated effort from many different stakeholders and policymakers. But there is excitement around the idea.
Action Track 3 places a clear focus on the agroecological transformation of existing production systems. What role do smallholder organisations and indigenous people play in the work of AT3?
The leadership group of AT3 is diverse, including farmers, indigenous representatives and youth leaders. This is representative of the fact that everyone has an important role to play in food systems transformation and boosting nature-positive production at scale. Smallholder organisations and indigenous people are some of the best stewards of nature, but the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with them to change production. Collectively, we must make shifts which enable the adoption of nature-positive production. This requires promoting research, technology and innovation to prioritize agroecological production approaches and regenerative agriculture, alongside social, institutional and financial innovations.
UNFSS provides a key opportunity to elevate the profile of agroecology and other regenerative approaches, advance processes and move from commitments to action,
which we at WWF strongly support, as we strive for food systems that benefit people and nature. Working with the Summit, we are ensuring the voices of smallholders, indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth are all heard.
Based on the Action Areas and Solutions developed in recent months, do you expect for coalitions to be formed to take these ideas forward?
Absolutely. This is an expectation of the Summit. In fact, we need large coalitions to co-create ambitious solutions and we are seeing high levels of engagement from key stakeholders. For instance, there are now more than 21 member states, including from 8 African countries, that are engaged in discussions on agroecology and regenerative agriculture to achieve a paradigm shift away from maximising productivity of intensive non-diverse food systems towards healthy, resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems. Our Aquatic and Blue Foods cluster is considering how we can fully realise the potential for sustainable aquatic foods, but also how they can contribute to ending malnutrition and build healthy, resilient food systems and provide safe, dignified jobs. The cluster on repurposing public support to food and agriculture is looking at how subsidies and financial incentives can be adapted to ensure that producers who are implementing nature-positive production practices are rewarded. All of the coalitions that are emerging from AT3 will help address the triple challenge of achieving food security, limiting climate change and halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
What are your expectations for the Pre-Summit and what will happen afterwards?
WWF wishes the Summit to set us on a path to reducing the impact of food systems on biodiversity and climate.
To ensure no net loss of biodiversity from food production, on lands and in waters, compared to the 2020 baseline, a net positive increase by 2030, and a full recovery by 2050
To achieve net zero emission from food production by 2030 and achieve net negative emissions from food system by 2050
To stop deforestation and conversion of natural habitats for agriculture and aquaculture production by 2030
To restore at least 50 per cent of all degraded agricultural lands by 2030
The Pre-Summit is an important moment in accelerating progress on this path. It needs to strengthen the coalitions of action which are emerging, and lay foundations for meaningful actions to be implemented. It is also a key moment in continuing to integrate the food, climate, nature and land agendas, so that food systems transformation is a priority topic in upcoming climate and biodiversity agreements that will shape policy for the next decade.
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A Contribution by Harry Hoffmann (TMG) & Nathalie Demel (WHH)
At the halfway mark of the 2030 Agenda and two years after the UN Food System Summit 2021, a stocktaking moment was held in Rome to analyze the progress of countries on the commitments to action in transforming food systems. Dr Harry Hoffmann, TMG Think Tank, and Nathalie Demel, Welthungerhilfe, were on site and take stock as well.
It takes the joint efforts of diverse actors to achieve a transformative impact on the global food system. Barbara Rehbinder, Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN), discusses four people-centred principles to get closer to this goal.
In Eastern El Salvador, campesinos are cultivating a self-image to encourage rural youth to remain in rural areas. With help from Caritas, they have adjusted the cultivation methods to their soils and traditions - Marvin Antonio Garcia Otero,the deputy director of Caritas of the Diocese of San Miguel believes this is the best way to prevent rural exodus and criminality.
Africa's cotton production plays a key role in the fight against poverty. The "Cotton Made in Africa" initiative promotes sustainable cultivation - one element of which is the use of organic pesticides. Entomologist Ben Sekamatte and cotton company manager Boaz Ogola talked with Jan Rübel about soil and yields.
Small farmers in developing countries must modernise their farming methods, but poorly understood reforms could exacerbate poverty instead of alleviating it.
For years, place-based approaches to development have been considered important features in development cooperation, at the BMZ and in FAO. Both organisations are aiming at advancing these approaches: an interview with Adriano Campolina from the FAO on territorial and landscape perspectives.
Environmental change is having a particularly strong impact on the African continent. Its landscapes see both negative and positive processes. What is science's view of this? A conversation with Cyrus Samimi about mobility for livelihoods, urban gardening and dealing with nature.
With the help of sustainable farming methods, soils can be preserved and made fertile again. The investment required is also worthwhile from a financial perspective.
What are the consequences of using synthetic pesticides in agriculture? Where do they help, where do they harm? Lena Luig, expert for the development policy organization INKOTA, and science journalist Ludger Weß discuss this controversial topic of international scope.
A contribution by Dr. May Hokan and Dr. Arnulf Köhncke (WWF)
Due to the coronavirus crisis, the connection between human and animal health has gained new attention. Politicians and scientists are joining forces to propagate the solution: One Health. But what is behind the concept? And can it also guarantee food security for all people worldwide?
Stig Tanzmann is a farmer and adviser on agricultural issues at ‘Bread for the World’. Jan Rübel interviewed him about his reservations about AGRA's strategy.
A contribution by Michael Windfuhr (German Institute for Human Rights)
Land rights are no longer governed by the law of the strongest. That is what the international community has agreed to. Governments and private companies have a duty to respect human rights and avoid corruption.
A contribution by Roselyn Korleh and M. Sahr Nouwah (WHH)
The Liberian town of Kinjor is a picture-book example for what happens, if land rights aren’t protected, and it illustrates how to move forward from there. The keyword: Multi-Actor Partnership
It began with clicks at a trade fair and ends with concrete reforestation: a campaign at the Green Week in Berlin is now enriching the forests of the Yen Bai Province in Vietnam. A chronicle of an education about climatic relevance to concrete action - and about the short distances on our planet.
A contribution by Dr. Kathleen Mar and Dr. Nicole de Paula
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, health is receiving unprecedented public and political attention. Yet the fact that climate change is also affecting the environmental and social determinants of health in a profound and far-reaching way deserves further recognition.
In the tropics rainforests are still being felled for the production of palm oil, meat and furniture. It is high time to act. Proposals are on the table.
In this article, the author describes what we know about interlinkages, what role agriculture has to play in the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity, and what the necessary changes in agricultural systems might look like, both on small and large-scale farms.
"One World no Hunger" (SEWOH) becomes one of the five core themes of the BMZ. Dirk Schattschneider, SEWOH Commissioner about previous approaches, future areas of action, and the political will to end hunger.
Every one degree Celsius rise in temperature increases the risk of conflict by two to ten percent. The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis, as the photos by Christoph Püschner and Frank Schultze illustrate.
Regarding deforestation free supply chains, there are challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers as well as for international forest governance. Also, responsibilities for companies and potential incentives for manufacturers to use materials from fair trade and sustainable sources need to be explored. But what does “deforestation-free” actually mean?
Interview with Caroline Milow and Ramon Brentführer
Groundwater resources remain dormant in the soil of African regions. Where does it make sense to use them – and where does overexploitation of nature begin? Caroline Milow (GIZ) and Ramon Brentführer (BGR) talk about potentials in the future and lessons from the past.
The Federal Government is fine-tuning a law that would require companies to ensure human rights – a supply chain law. What are the consequences for the agricultural sector? Dr Bettina Rudloff from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) discusses linking policy fields with added value.
‘Fair’ and ‘sustainable’ are key words in Germany’s EU Council Presidency. At the same time, Germany pursues ‘modernization’ of the WTO and ‘rapid progress’ on free trade agreements. Are these goals really compatible? Can we be concerned about fairness and sustainability while continuing with ‘business as usual’?
Interview with Bernadette Arakwiye und Salima Mahamoudou (World Resources Institute)
Deforestation is leading to a shortage of ressources. What are the options for counteracting? A conversation with Bernadette Arakwiye and Salima Mahamoudou about renaturation and the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
At the climate conference in Glasgow, activists from various groups protested again – Leonie Bremer from ‘Fridays for Future’ was there too. How can climate protection and development cooperation work hand in hand?
A conversation with aquatic researcher Shakuntala Thilsted on the long-neglected nutrition benefits of aquatic diets and the empowering qualities of a sustainable aqua-food systems transformation.
A Contribution by Adrian Muller, Catherine Pfeifer and Jürn Sanders (FiBL)
Taking Biodiversity Focus Areas under production or abandoning lower yielding, more extensive production systems is the wrong approach to mastering the looming global food crisis, say the authors of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL).
Germany joins the international Agroecology Coalition, reinforcing its commitment to fair, sustainable agriculture and ensuring the future viability of rural areas. By adopting a holistic approach, agroecology is helping to address the greatest challenges of our time: protecting the climate, combating hunger and preserving biodiversity.
The production of animal-source foods is becoming increasingly difficult due to the impact of climate change on the livestock sector in Africa. Though, Livestock make a crucial contribution to food security in Africa. Three papers by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ, ILRI and World Bank analyze, how Africas future livestock sector can look like.
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