Rosario Michel Villarreal
Job title:
Lecturer in Sustainability and Business
Area of work:
I focus on sustainability transitions in food systems, including building resilience against climate change and scaling up sustainable food supply chains. This work is critical because food systems, especially in emerging regions, are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
What are the big issues that COP29 needs to address? What are your hopes for the negotiations?
I hope for a significant increase in climate finance for agriculture and food systems, particularly supporting smallholder farmers, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and vulnerable groups. COP29 must shift from commitments to action by integrating food systems into national climate strategies and fostering collaboration. The Harmoniya Initiative should help bridge gaps between stakeholders, promoting global efforts to build climate-resilient food systems and empower rural communities.
What’s your message for world leaders at COP29?
Prioritise vulnerable groups, including smallholder farmers, women, and Indigenous communities, who are most affected by climate change. Let’s move beyond words and ensure that food systems are central to national climate strategies and global solutions.
Do you have any tips about climate action that you can share?
Shifting to a diet rich in plant-based foods can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate action.