The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Conference (COP 28) held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, as an Official Observer and as a member of the Canadian Delegation.
Two delegates, Mitchell Zoratti, CCA’s Environment and Climate Change Coordinator and Bob Lowe, CCA Past President, were on the ground to monitor and participate in many important discussions regarding climate change and the environment, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and food security, among others.
CCA took an active role again this year in sharing the positive sustainability story of Canadian cattle. CCA hosted events at the Canada pavilion and at the Saskatchewan pavilion, co-hosted an official UNFCCC side event with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), and participated in several other events as panelists. We were proud to highlight how Canada is a leader in sustainable beef production; that we have achieved one of the lowest GHG footprints per unit of production in the world; how beef production can simultaneously be part of the solution when it comes to climate change, biodiversity, and food insecurity; and how through our industry’s 2030 goals we have a clear strategy for continual improvement.
On the COP 28 mainstage, one of the highlights for CCA was the adoption of the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Change by over 150 countries. This is the first-ever declaration on the “profound potential of agriculture and food systems in driving innovative responses to climate change and unlocking shared prosperity for all.” The voluntary declaration recognized the importance of agriculture and food systems in achieving climate goals and calls for governments to integrate food and agriculture into their climate action.
In addition to the Emirates declaration, two other important reports were released from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations: 1) Pathways to lower emissions: A global assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options from livestock agrifood systems; and 2) Achieving SDG 2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A global roadmap. These reports clearly stated that “livestock play a vital role in providing essential nutrition and supporting the livelihoods and resilience of countless families and communities worldwide,” and that “Enhancing productivity and products efficiency across the entire production chain is the most promising way to reduce emissions, promote sustainability, and mitigate the environmental impact of the livestock sector.”
By 2050, the growing global population is anticipated to drive a 20 per cent increase in animal product demand compared to 2020 levels. The FAO reported that improving management and production efficiencies, primarily through better feed and nutrition practices, improved animal health and welfare, and breeding will have a greater impact in mitigating emissions from the livestock sector than demand-side efforts such as dietary changes.
Other news at COP 28 saw the Government of Canada announce its latest offset protocol under the Canadian Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations, “Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle.” The new protocol is intended to incentivize beef producers to reduce enteric methane in their herds through improved management, diet reformulation, the use of feed additives, growth promotors and/or other innovative strategies.
CCA is looking into details of the draft protocol and will be responding with a formal submission, highlighting the importance of practical, pragmatic solutions that are based in science. The Government of Canada will accept comments on the draft protocol until February 6, 2024.
With December 9 being coined “Nature, Land Use, and Oceans Day," and December 10 as “Food, Agriculture and Water Day,” our presence was more important than ever to help balance the plant-based diets narratives. The focus on agriculture and livestock as it relates to climate change will not go away anytime soon, and in fact, will be emphasized even more in the years to come. It is imperative that CCA continues to engage in these global dialogues and provide a voice for beef producers across the country.