The critical need to align the global agenda on climate and nutrition at COP29 – The State of the Planet

As we face the climate crisis, we often overlook one of its critical impacts: malnutrition. The relationship between climate change and nutrition extends beyond health and food issues. It is essential for overall sustainable development and these connections need to be more effectively integrated. The place to start that integration is the Climate Conference of the Parties (COP).

In half of the cases when a child dies, the underlying cause is: malnutrition. Those who survive but continue to suffer from malnutrition will not grow to their potential, both mentally and physically. For example, children who are severely malnourished before the age of three complete five fewer years of schooling than well-nourished children, and those who go hungry as children have lower lifetime earnings. Studies have shown that they are 10% less likely to die and 33% less likely to die. run away poverty. These numbers represent real individuals who are not reaching their potential, and if populations do not thrive, entire communities will become increasingly vulnerable to increasing climate change and extreme events.

Long-term climate projections and short-term climate-related extremes have and will continue to exacerbate malnutrition outcomes. Women, children and other vulnerable groups living in conflict and poverty suffer disproportionately from these impacts. Extreme events such as heat, prolonged drought, and flooding can have devastating effects on women’s pregnancies. premature birth and stillbirthand childhood nutritional outcomes, including acute malnutrition, also known as wasting. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s model shows that if we do nothing about climate change, more climate change will occur. 40 million children Chronic malnutrition, also known as stunted growth, 28 million wasted children. This is devastating as it already is 148 million and 45 million Each child suffered from stunted growth and wasting. Those suffering the most severe malnutrition often live in the countries that have contributed the least to this crisis and are suffering the most devastating effects, yet efforts to redress this inequality remain weak. Not enough.

Policy makers and stakeholders working to challenge and transform food and health systems are beginning to address climate issues, but nutrition is rarely featured in mainstream climate discussions. Not surprisingly, findings The Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) study highlights critical gaps, with only 2% of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and 16% of national adaptation plans addressing nutrition. It has become clear that considerations have been incorporated. By not integrating nutrition into climate change strategies and policies, global and national policymakers are missing an opportunity to help their populations survive and adapt in a changing climate.

Below are some examples of how nutrition and climate policies and programs can be better aligned.

First, build strong alliances to build a common narrative and commitment to strengthen nutrition service delivery to better prepare communities and the most vulnerable in the face of accelerating climate change. We need to build on and foster cross-sector collaboration. Initiatives like I-CAN could be crucial in promoting and advocating for further integration of nutrition commitments and targets in NDCs at the COP29 meeting in Azerbaijan this November. The Nutrition for Growth Summit will be held in France in March 2025 and will bring together activists, advocates and policy makers to make political and financial commitments to eliminate malnutrition linked to adaptation responses to the climate crisis. do. The French Government, together with other multilateral and bilateral countries, has the opportunity to lead these important partnerships and alliances to co-invest in climate- and nutrition-smart investments. Discussion on dual investments in climate and nutrition should begin among stakeholders at the COP29 meeting.

Second, those working in the nutrition sector should redouble their efforts to implement priority interventions at scale, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable, such as pregnant women and children, and ensure that these interventions build resilience. should communicate with the climate change community attending COP29 that this is important to them. against the effects of climate change. For example, climate change is reducing agricultural productivity and depleting nutrients in food, highlighting the need to fortify staple crops with essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc. . In addition, all pregnant women should have access to prenatal supplementation with multiple micronutrients, providing 15 important vitamins and minerals in one tablet. Other interventions that need to be prioritized and scaled up include promoting exclusive breastfeeding; Provide nutritious complementary foods to young children. Screening and treatment of acute malnutrition. and administration of anthelmintics. This focus is especially important given that there is little funding left for critical nutrition interventions. stagnate It is likely to decline further after 2020 due to significant cuts in overall development aid. At COP29, addressing nutrition interventions in climate challenges and strategies, including NDCs, should be considered and negotiated.

Finally, the COP29 conference provides an opportunity to start a conversation about the importance of data for accountability. For example, meteorological offices should work with ministries of health to integrate climate information and improve their ability to predict and implement nutrition-focused climate adaptation strategies. Historically, user-friendly climate information has been deployed to inform food and social protection systems, as well as humanitarian responses to deliver food aid. However, by providing real-time, relevant data on extreme events, nutrition experts can help populations with short-term, integrated interventions such as water, sanitation, and ready-to-use therapeutic foods to address malnutrition and malnutrition. can be stockpiled, prepared and treated. Avoid long-term health effects. country like madagascar is already taking this dual perspective to target health and nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable areas of climate change and strengthening community sites to effectively address nutritional deficiencies.

Climate and nutrition span many different issues, and both are urgent crises that we must address. Recognizing the complex relationship between the two and adopting integrated solutions is essential to adapting to a changing world. Let’s make this COP29 a moment when climate and nutrition experts come together to chart a path forward.

jessica fanzo He is a professor of climatology at the Columbia Climate School and director of the Food for Humanity Initiative.

bianca carducci I am a postdoctoral fellow at the Columbia Climate School.

Yashodhara Rana I am the Deputy Director for Research at the Eleanor Crook Foundation.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Columbia Climate School, Earth Institute, or Columbia University.