Swedish representative at IPCC: “Measures required to achieve the climate goals”

More than 70 percent of all ice-free land areas are used today to produce food, feed, wood, energy crops and fibers for textile production. Reducing emissions is a prerequisite for reaching the 1.5 degree target, notes the IPCC's summary of the world's total climate research.

"Food production and forestry are fundamental to society," says Markku Rummukainen, climate expert and Sweden's representative on the UN Climate Panel.

According to SVT's foreign commentator Erika Bjerström, who took note of information from the report, there may also be talk of a meat tax in Sweden.

- Given that Germany is now considering increased VAT on meat, it makes me think that meat tax will again be lifted on the Swedish agenda, says Erika Bjerström.

According to the report, about a third of all food produced is destroyed or destroyed. The reasons vary greatly between developed countries and developing countries.

According to the report, a conversion to a plant-based diet with cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and sustainably produced animal products would present a great opportunity for reducing emissions.

- Protein from the plant kingdom has much less impact on the climate than protein from the animal kingdom. How to produce one or the other also plays a role, of course, says Rummukainen.

The report shows that 500 million people live in areas that are subject to proliferation.

What is the core message of the report?

- In order to achieve the global climate targets, measures and solutions are also needed in agriculture and forestry and measures in the entire food system. Many of these measures will provide benefits in other areas, such as food and energy security, says Markku Rummukainen.

- If climate change is not halted, the effects on forestry and agriculture will increase and we will have increased food insecurity, he says.

Have the countries disagreed with the compilation of the report?

- Countries that have vulnerable agriculture are pushing for climate adaptation, other countries are highlighting deforestation or bioenergy opportunities. The work pulled out at the time somewhat - there is a lot of information in the report.

As Sweden's representative in the IPCC, was any point extra important to make in the review of the report?

- Sweden is keen that the state of knowledge is reflected objectively and balanced and that it highlights both the challenges and the opportunity for action, says Markku Rummukainen.

- For example, sustainable forestry, agriculture and bioenergy from residual products are some of the things we work with in Sweden, so of course these are of interest to us.

What do you feel now after setting the point for this report?

- It is very positive, it contains a number of measures that have several benefits, not just for land use. But certainly, you are recognized and reminded by the challenge of the large emissions from land use and the entire food system.