Countries and food issues at COP 27: an analysis of official statements at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm El-Sheik: an analysis of official statements at the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC

Abstract

Introduction: The agri-food sector accounts for about a third of greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes directly to the intensification of climate change. Despite this, it is noted that agricultural and food issues occupy marginal spaces in international climate negotiations. COP 27, held in Egypt, brought together 195 representatives of States with the intention of increasing exposure to agrifood issues. Objective: Considering this context, we analyze how State representatives addressed agricultural and food issues in their official statements during the aforementioned Conference. Methods: The study was based on a content analysis of official statements made by 93 representatives of countries and the European Union. Results and Discussion: the results showed that agricultural and food themes were cited by 51% of the analyzed speeches. However, they occupy a marginal or superficial place, sometimes linked to particular interests of the States, mainly in the case of declarations by great powers such as the United States and the European Union. Considering the participation of agrifood activity in the intensification of greenhouse gases, we point to the need for these issues to compose the countries' agenda and constitute vectors for directly confronting the climate crisis.