Addressing Climate State of Emergency needs to unleash Family Farmers catalytic role.
Recognizing their indispensable role, the World Rural Forum, in collaboration with the Farm and Forest Facility (FFF) and other key stakeholders, is committed to bridge the gap to get family farming on the global climate and biodiversity agendas.
30 Novembre 2023.- The World Rural Forum, through a participative and inclusive process, has articulated a Statement emphasizing the imperative need for global recognition of family farmers catalytic role.
The climate crisis is severely affecting millions of family farmers around the world. Frequent and intense droughts, floods, tropical cyclones, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and warming oceans, among others, are destroying livelihoods and communities, and putting the sustainability of food systems at serious risk.
This Statement advocates for policies that promote the sustainable practices that family farmers are already practising or are committed to implement on their farms to address the impact of climate change and drive innovation in new climate action initiatives; for active participation in climate policy making; and for proportional access to mitigation and adaptation funds. Despite family farmers’ crucial role, just 0.3% of public international climate funding was allocated to small scale farming in 2021.
Download the Statement here.
Family Farming Delegation for COP28
For the first time, a strong and coordinated family farmers’ delegation will attend COP28 to place these messages on the negotiation table, to advocate for the resilience viability and sustainability of family farming in the face of climate crisis, and to influence decisions on climate action. The delegation will represent key regional family farming organisations such as Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA), Confederación de Organizaciones de Productores Familiares del Mercosur Ampliado (COPROFAM), Eastern and Southern Africa small-scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF), Regional Rural Dialogue Programme for Central America and the Dominican Republic (PDRR), Pacific Islands Farmers’ Organisations Network (PIFON), Central African Farmers’ Organisations (PROPAC), and Union Maghrébine et Nord Africaine des Agriculteurs (UNMAGRI), among others.
This accomplishment is the result of tireless accreditation efforts by the World Rural Forum and support from funders such as the Meridian Institute, the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, and the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF).
Events During COP28
The World Rural Forum, in collaboration with key allies, will be an active part of four events during COP28 and will participate in several more
These events will address crucial topics such as strengthening land rights, the role of family farmers in food systems transformation, the connection between family farmers and consumers, and harnessing women and young farmers’ innovation. All of them are done in collaboration with crucial partners such as the COP28 Presidency, FAO, family farming organisations, the Farmers’ Forum, the International Land Coalition and Consumers International, among others.
Explore World Rural Forum’s events at COP here.
Workshop on Climate Change COP and Negotiation Process
To prepare for the family farming delegation’s historic participation at COP28, a workshop was conducted on November 16. The workshop aimed to enhance the understanding of family farming organizations regarding the climate agenda and build their advocacy capacities. Sessions covered topics from comprehending COP and the negotiation process to insights on climate finance architecture and strategies for building successful partnerships. Renowned experts and organizations shared valuable knowledge, empowering participants to actively contribute to climate policy debates.
With a clear and urgent Statement, a diverse family farming delegation, events and workshops, the World Rural Forum is paving the way to COP28 and beyond, ensuring that the voices of those who sustain the basis of our food systems are heard and included in international climate fora.
