DUBAI (10 December 2023) — Today, a group of countries including Brazil, Cambodia, Norway, Rwanda and Sierra Leone launched a high ambition coalition committed to urgently transform their – and the world’s – food and land use systems. These countries aim to deliver better outcomes on food across adaptation and resilience, climate mitigation, food and nutrition security, equity and livelihoods, and nature and biodiversity. This commitment is significant because it includes defined goals, an accountability mechanism, and a deadline. Countries have pledged to update their national climate plans, including clear and measurable targets by COP30 in 2025, and report annually on progress. 
 
Co-chaired by Brazil, Norway and Sierra Leone, the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation was unveiled in Dubai. The alliance was launched just ten days after 134 countries announced they had signed the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action. 
 
Following is a statement from Edward Davey, Partnerships Director, Food and Land Use Coalition and Head, UK office, World Resources Institute Europe:    

“The world has long needed champions to transform the way they produce and consume food amidst the climate crisis. That’s exactly why this Alliance is so important — these countries will show us what transformation can look like, and the rest of the world will benefit from their leadership. Along with the Emirates Declaration, these efforts finally put food in the spotlight in the climate fight, right alongside fossil fuels. 

This vanguard group of countries, spanning the global south and north and representing a variety of food systems, is committed to a whole-of-government approach within national borders. Recognizing that transforming food systems will look different in every country, members aim to collaborate, share lessons and knowledge, and accelerate innovation to work better for people, nature and climate. 

In a world hungry for transformative solutions to the climate crisis, this alliance emerges as a beacon of change and of hope. The momentum from this promising start should now resonate globally, urging nations to align with the Alliance's leadership and foster a collective effort to driving forward national and multilateral progress on food and climate at this critical time.”