Several environmental groups and observers applauded the outcome of COP15, the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity, which ended Monday in Montreal. Although notable progress has been made, including the target of protecting 30% of land and oceans and the mobilization of 200 billion US dollars by 2030, the representatives present unfortunately chose to sweep under the carpet the main cause loss of terrestrial biodiversity: the consumption of meat and other products of animal origin.
In its latest global assessment report, IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), the equivalent of the IPCC for biodiversity, pointed out that between 2007 and 2012, 290,000 km2 of land was cleared for agriculture primarily to feed livestock, a 29% increase over previous years. A trend that has continued to grow tragically.
To reverse this trend and curb biodiversity loss, the IPBES report recommends that governments promote a transition to diets with fewer animal products and more plant-based foods.
An earlier version of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework included, in Target 16, a goal supported by the European Union, Denmark and Switzerland to “halve the global footprint of diets,” echoing scientific consensus. On the issue of responsible consumption, the European Union is leading the way, having adopted earlier in December a standard banning the import of foods from deforestation, including livestock, palm oil and coffee.
However, Canada has since the beginning of COP15 maintained its opposition to this proposal, having finally had the last word: the final text of the agreement no longer mentions food, target 16 now only targeting “overconsumption and “food waste” in the broad sense.
The City of Montreal had nevertheless made a strong gesture last May by adhering to the international Good Food Cities Declaration, by which it undertook to promote a plant-based diet. Not seeing any mention of diets either in the Montreal Appeal launched by the City on the sidelines of COP15, or in the final text of a conference held in Montreal, shows that there is still a long way to go before the promotion of sustainable food goes beyond scientific circles and really takes root in the political sphere.
COP15 is the most recent example of the reluctance of our politicians to promote changes in behavior which, although demanding, remain absolutely necessary to curb deforestation and other encroachments on ecosystems. On the eve of a possible sixth mass extinction to which our eating habits contribute substantially, there is simply no good reason not to act on our meat consumption.