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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.

Without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the carbon and nutrients that fuel our bodies rely on biodiversity. More than half of the world’s GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its ecosystem services and 80% of the medicines produced in developing countries are plant-based. This is why the huge loss of biodiversity we are witnessing, the sixth global mass extinction, represents a crisis with as terrifying proportions as climate change.

It is vital that we preserve Earth’s remaining biodiversity. Science, technology, and innovation (STI) can be leveraged to develop instruments to protect, manage, and foster the sustainable use of biodiversity. In addition, by preserving biodiversity and investing in nature-based solutions (NbS), it is possible to enhance climate change mitigation actions such as carbon sequestration and protection against deforestation and land degradation.

This session will discuss the challenges embedded in the seek for sustainable biodiversity use. The panelists will debate the instruments needed to guide this pathway with justice, rights, and equity. They will look 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.

During the three days of the G-STIC Conference, leading experts from around the world have shared their insights into technological solutions for attaining the SDGs, from presenting real-life examples to explaining needs for innovative approaches, laws, regulations and funding mechanisms.

As well as summarizing the overarching points raised during the conference, there will be a discussion of some of the most important questions raised over the previous three days. Are we on the right track? Which Science, Technology, and Innovation solutions can best contribute to a post-pandemic recovery and ensure an integrated, safe, healthy, resilient, and more equitable world? What is the best approach to tackling the SDGs? How can we prepare for future crises? Which solutions will tackle the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution? How can we stabilize ecosystems and reduce the risk of infectious disease outbreaks?

The World BioEconom Roundtables are moderated by bioeconomy professionals who, together with high profile speakers, engage in hard talks on the World BioEconomy Forum Four-Pillar Strucuture: The Bioeconomy: People, Planet, Policies; Global Leaders and Financial World; Bioproducts around us; Looking to the Future. All these events will last two hours and will be easy and safe to access over the Internet, regardless of the location. The World BioEconomy Forum team will ensure a relaxed environment, supporting you every step of the way. Join us and be part of the world of Bioeconomy!

The first roundtable will be organized in the framework of the G-STIC conference in Rio de Janeiro on the pillar ‘Bioproducts around us’ with a topic “Biorevolution knocking on the door”. In the same occasion the World Bioeconomy Forum is launching a survey on a global hub for the bioeconomy.