From November 30 to December 12, the 28th UN Climate Conference will take place in Dubai. This climate summit aims to take concrete steps towards a fair and sustainable approach to the global climate crisis. Dutch horticulture can contribute to this with healthy, local food production, climate adaptation, and sustainable ecosystems, say representatives of the sector.
At COP28, nearly 70,000 participants are expected from governments, NGOs, and the business community. The climate summit will deliver the first global assessment of climate action since the Paris Agreement. The goal is to accelerate efforts to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
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Dutch horticulture representatives, consisting of Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen, AVAG, and GreenTech Global, will highlight the possibilities of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) during COP28. In a controlled environment, an optimal climate can be created for the crop, making it possible to realize more yields in a small area with a lower environmental impact.
The use of CEA means less water use, no use of pesticides, less land use, more biodiversity, and nutrient reuse. By integrating this method of food production into the environment, existing residual streams and renewable energy sources can be used, creating a circular system. CEA can be fully adapted to local conditions and can, therefore, be used worldwide.
Feeding, greening, and making healthier
CEA is poised to feed, greenify, and make urban areas around the world healthier. In doing so, horticulture is also bringing the UN’s sustainability goals (SDGs) closer, such as no hunger and responsible consumption and production. Anneke van de Kamp of Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen: “Dutch horticulture is the innovative breeding ground for sustainable solutions to global social problems. The sector makes an important contribution to global food security and safety through knowledge, seeds, and technology. By combining the innovative power of Dutch knowledge on controlled growing with regional knowledge, we can develop global, sustainable, climate-resilient solutions together. Join the Circular CEA climate movement for affordable fresh and local food for all.”
Three meetings
During COP28, Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen, AVAG, GreenTech Global, and a number of Dutch horticultural companies are organizing three sessions around CEA. On Wednesday, December 6, the session ‘Affordable fresh and local food for all’ (location: Food4Climate Pavilion) will update participants on the possibilities of CEA and the contribution horticulture can make to it. On Friday, December 8, a visit to a circular, fossil-free greenhouse (Armela Farms) is scheduled to demonstrate in practice how CEA works. A closing meeting will take place on the same day, where meeting each other and networking will be central.
Source: Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen