Climate change agreement must ensure future food supply
dec 10 2009
The Danish Agriculture & Food Council hopes for a binding climate change agreement that will promote global climate friendly agricultural production.
The international community is facing a huge challenge. A rapidly growing population will put agricultural production under pressure in many parts of the world and climate change is adding to this challenge. It is important to sign a strong climate change agreement that provides a global framework for future climate friendly agricultural production. We cannot overcome the challenges of climate change solely by launching national initiatives.
- Agriculture and food security are closely linked to the stability of the global economy and climate. The world’s population is expected to reach more than 9 billion in 2050, and 75 per cent of the world’s poorest people will be living in rural areas. Therefore food security is a key issue in the discussion about climate change, says Mr Brockenhuus-Schack, Chairman of the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, on the occasion of the opening of the Climate Change Conference on 7 December 2009.
According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, a climate change agreement that minimises the adverse effects of climate change beyond the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012 will also have the potential to revitalize the global economy, based on sustainable solutions.
- A sustainable agricultural production method is a prerequisite for solving the problems caused by climate change when, at the same time, we need to produce food for a growing world population. We must optimize the global use of raw materials and residues in the production of food, energy and materials. This calls for increased energy efficiency by employing effective environmental technologies. The Danish food production is based on know-how, research and innovation that can be transferred to other countries, says Mr Brockenhuus-Schack.
- We have to produce more food with fewer resources and become independent of fossil fuels by integrating different sectors and turning waste into value by recycling and reuse. Biomass from agriculture and waste from industry and households are important raw materials that can be used more efficiently. These solutions for a biobased society are crucial if the major global challenges of today are to be solved, concludes Mr Brockenhuus-Schack.
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