Rosario Michel-Villarreal

Job title:

Lecturer in Sustainability and Business

Area of work and how it relates to COP30:

I focus on sustainability transitions in food systems, including building resilience against climate change and scaling up sustainable food supply chains. This work is vital as food supply chains both contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and are increasingly disrupted by climate impacts affecting agricultural production, transportation networks, market stability, and rural livelihoods. These challenges are particularly acute in emerging regions, where food systems are most vulnerable and adaptation measures are urgently needed.

What are the big issues that COP30 needs to address? What are your hopes for the negotiations?

I hope COP30 leads to stronger inclusion of food systems in countries’ NDCs, recognising their central role in both contributing to and addressing climate change. Food systems should be seen as key to building climate resilience, with finance and policy mechanisms that support sustainable production, fair value chains, and community-led adaptation. I also hope to see real inclusion of non-state actors, Indigenous peoples and local communities, whose local knowledge and initiatives, like short food supply chains, are driving the kind of just and lasting climate solutions we need.

What's your message for world leaders at COP30?

Food systems connect people, nature, and economies, yet they remain overlooked in global commitments. We cannot meet the 1.5 °C goal or ensure food security without transforming how we produce, distribute, and consume food. I urge leaders to strengthen the role of food systems in NDCs, invest in adaptation and resilience, and recognise the knowledge and leadership of farmers, Indigenous peoples, and local communities. Real change will come from empowering those already creating sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient futures on the ground.

Do you have any tips about climate action that you can share?

Climate action isn’t only about grand policies, it’s about everyday choices and the systems we support. Think about the food you eat, where it comes from, who it sustains, and its impact on the planet. Support local producers, reduce waste, shift towards more plant-based diets, and value the ecosystems that make food possible.