The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Blue foods needed to be centrally on the menu of climate action at COP26. They have enormous potential to contribute to achieving net zero, but their vital contributions to nutrition and livelihoods will need to be protected from climate change.
Blue Food Events at COP26
Achieving Healthy Diets from Sustainable Blue Food Systems in Small Island Developing States
Tuesday, Nov 2 | 17:00 – 18:00 GMT | WHO Health Pavilion | Hosted by WHO, EAT, UN Nutrition, and Stanford University
Key speakers shared knowledge and innovative solutions around shifting to healthy, sustainable, and resilient diets – with particular attention to aquatic foods and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The panel generated awareness around the climate-food-health systems nexus; presented strategies and approaches to integrate healthy diets and into climate change solutions; linked food systems and climate action; underlined the important roles of aquatic foods in healthy and sustainable diets; and highlighted the key roles of youth in food systems transformation and in addressing climate change. Speakers included high-level UN representatives, Ministers, key youth representatives, and leading blue food experts.
Blue Food: Businesses Bridging Nutrition Needs with Climate Action
Friday, Nov 5 | 13:15-14:15 GMT | Virtual | Hosted by UN Global Compact
Speakers included Shakuntala Thilsted from WorldFish
Towards a Shared Blue Prosperity under Changing Climate
Saturday, Nov 6 | 13:15 – 14:30 GMT | Forth Room | Hosted by CSDevNet, TAAT, and WorldFish
Speakers included Essam Yassin Mohammed, Shakuntala Thilsted, and Gareth Johnstone from WorldFish
The Ocean Decade for Climate Action in the Asia Pacific Region
Saturday, Nov 6 | Time TBD | Hosted by UNESCO
Speakers included Essam Yassin Mohammed from WorldFish
Resilient Asian Mega Deltas
Monday, Nov 8 | 06:30 – 07:30 GMT | Virtual Event | Hosted by Newcastle University, IRRI, IWMI, and WorldFish
Speakers included Shakuntala Thilsted and Rumana Hossain from WorldFish
Climate Action for Shared Prosperity through Aquatic Food Systems: Eyes on SIDS and Beyond
Tuesday, Nov 9 | 14:45 – 15:45 GMT | SIWI Water Pavilion | Hosted by IWMI, FAO and WorldFish
Speakers included Essam Yassin Mohammed and Shakuntala Thilsted from WorldFish
Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable Food Systems – Progress Since COP25
Tuesday, Nov 9 | 10:30 – 12:00 GMT | UNFCCC Pavilion | Hosted by EAT and UNFCCC
This event shared knowledge and innovative solutions for shifting to healthy diets from sustainable food systems; built awareness around the climate-food-health nexus, including the important roles of biodiversity; shared about the progress made through the UN Food Systems Summit; highlighted key areas of action moving forward; and encouraged reflection about our relationship with food, our food choices, and their impacts on the health of people and planet.
Ocean Action = Climate Action
Thursday, Nov 11 | 16:45 – 18:00 GMT | Multimedia Studio 1 | Hosted by UN-Oceans
Speakers included Essam Yassin Mohammed from WorldFish
Read the recent BFA paper “Compound Climate Risks Threaten Aquatic Food System Benefits”