Innovative approaches and technologies for building climate resilient food systems

13 – 15 February 2023. 6th G-STIC Conference in Rio de Janeiro 

The G-STIC conference is hosted jointly by VITO (the prime research and technology organization on cleantech and sustainable development in Belgium) and 7 other not-for-profit independent technology research institutes: FIOCRUZ (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil), CSIR (The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa), GIEC (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, China), GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea), NACETEM (National Centre for Technology Management, Nigeria), TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, India) and SDSN (the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network).

15/02 Innovative approaches and technologies for building climate resilient food systems

Video starts @ 1:49:30

Climate and food systems are inextricably linked. Climate-related extreme weather events pose a major threat to the stability of the entire food supply chain and to the nutrition and wellbeing of countless millions of people. At the same time, unsustainable food systems are responsible for widescale deforestation and soil degradation and contribute to climate change. Food production is responsible for 19 to 29% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Our food systems clearly need to be more resilient, from production to consumption, so that they remain functional, recover from the effects of harmful events, and serve our needs without damaging the environment. 

To address this, the Climate Resilient Food Systems Alliance (CRFS) was launched in 2021. Its mission is to accelerate activities aimed at integrated food and climate action, especially in the most vulnerable countries and regions. Climate change impacts are already reducing crop and livestock productivity and decreasing food security for millions of people worldwide. So feeding a global population of almost 10 billion by 2050 will require a radical transformation in how food is produced, processed, traded, and consumed. Technology has a huge role to play in this transformation. Farmers, governments, and businesses will need better data, analysis, and insights to support their short- and long-term decisions and enable them to manage risk, maximize production sustainability, and thrive in a changing climate. Globally, the use of advanced analytics in agriculture is booming. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, predictive modeling, and other forms of advanced analytics are already being used to improve food systems. 

The speakers will review the current situation and look ahead at how advanced technologies can be used to bolster food security in developing countries. 

• Moderated by Julia Weatherhogg UNFCCC Adaptation Programme Officer 
• H.E. Manuel Heitor University of Lisbon Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) 
• Max Berkelmans Rabobank Business Consultant Finance - Acorn 
• Molly Brown 6th Grain Corporation Chief Science Officer 
• Rafaela Gontijo Lenz NUU Alimentos CEO Rafael Leão United Nations World Food Programme Programme Officer 
• Napoleón Molina Rikolto Coffee Program Director Latin America 
• Madeeha Bajwa Group on Earth Observations Chief, Work Programme Coordinator 
• Abigail Alvarado FAO regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean Technical specialist 
• Jennifer Philips Lead of InsuResilience’s Centre of Excellence on Gender-smart Solutions Advisor, InsuResilience Secretariat 

15 /02 Plenary session: Biodiversity

Video starts @ 4:41:17

This session discussed the challenges embedded in the seek for sustainable biodiversity use. The panelists debated the instruments needed to guide this pathway with justice, rights, and equity. They looked at the existing mechanisms for curbing the overexploitation of natural resources and biodiversity loss as essential means to securing all forms of life on Earth. 

• Moderated by Carlos Eduardo Young Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
• Sateré Mawé Samela Brazilian Indigenous youth activist 
• H.R.H. Princess Esmeralda of Belgium Journalist, author and environmental activist 
• Erie Tamale SCBD Senior Programme Management Officer, Head Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Montreal, Canada
• Anne Larigauderie Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Executive Secretary 
• Sechaba Bareetseng The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Programme Manager Indigenous Knowledge Systems South Africa
• Benjamin Roche Research Institute for Development (IRD) Research Director 
• Márcia Chame Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Researcher 
• Bram De Keulenaere Mantis Director