During the **New York Climate Week**, the organization **Mercy For Animals**, along with partners such as **EAT**, the **Center for Biological Diversity**, **GAIN**, and the **Global Animal Law and Environment Alliance**, presented the **National Determined Contributions (NDC) Scorecard on Food Systems**.
This tool evaluates how countries incorporate food systems into their [climate strategies](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/el-sargazo-en-el-caribe-mexicano-origen-impacto-y-estrategias-de-control-contra-este-fenomeno-cada-vez-mas-frecuente/).
## Food and Emissions: the Missing Link in Climate Policies
Food systems generate a third of [human emissions](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/), but they are still absent in many NDCs.
According to the **IPCC**, even if fossil emissions were eliminated, those from the food system could [prevent reaching the 1.5 °C target](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/). However, many NDCs only address [agricultural production](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/), ignoring key stages such as:
– **Consumption and distribution**
– **Food loss and waste**
– **Transition to plant-based diets**
This limited approach [reduces mitigation potential](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/) and misses out on adaptation opportunities and nutritional co-benefits.
## What an Effective NDC in Food Systems Should Include
The new framework proposes clear criteria for [integrating food into climate action](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/).
NDCs should:
– **Act at all stages of the food system**
– **Adapt to national context and local capabilities**
– **Avoid maladaptation risks and promote synergies**
– **Ensure equity and inclusive processes**
“NDCs are an opportunity to connect climate and nutritional agendas,” says **Oliver Camp**, a GAIN advisor.
## Initial Assessments and Concerning Findings
**Most analyzed countries ignore dietary transition and perpetuate polluting practices**.
The first assessments include **Brazil, Kenya, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom**. Only **Switzerland** stands out for integrating strong policies linking [climate and diet](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/). In contrast, other countries continue:
– **Expanding agricultural boundaries**
– **Intensifying industrial livestock**
– **Applying dubious methodologies to account for methane**
“These practices can undo the progress made,” warns **Stephanie Feldstein** from the Center for Biological Diversity.
## Effective Implementation: the Challenge Beyond Paperwork
**An ambitious NDC is not enough if it does not translate into concrete and sustainable actions**.
Professor **Erica Lyman** from Lewis & Clark emphasizes that NDCs must [integrate climate-friendly food policies](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/china-promete-reducir-sus-emisiones-para-2035-y-refuerza-su-compromiso-climatico-ante-la-onu/) and that **solid implementation is key** to achieving real impact.
“Food is the link between health, sustainability, and social justice,” concludes **Fabrice DeClerck**, scientific director of EAT.
