Anuga FoodTec: Opportunities for climate neutrality

Sandrine Dixson-Declève will open the Anuga FoodTec in Cologne on March 19, 2024 at 9.15:9 a.m. with a keynote on the Main Stage Responsibility (Hall 080, B081/C2). Of all the issues Sandrine Dixson-Declève deals with, climate change is the one with the greatest urgency - a polycrisis that requires a systems approach. It is therefore essential to focus on the energy, resource consumption and food production sectors, which cause the lion's share of the problems, in order to shift the necessary investments into low-COXNUMX production methods. “If we move forward in these areas, we can reduce their massive impact on the climate and biodiversity,” said the co-president of the Club of Rome.

More than 50 years after the publication of the wake-up call 'The Limits to Growth', Dixson-Declève, together with other leading scientists from the Club of Rome, once again pleads for the salvation of our planet, because despite the longed-for changes, the change is not to the extent hoped for occurred. In their new work 'Earth for All: A survival guide for our planet' (2022), the experts discuss possible ways to improve economic systems and ensure the well-being of all living beings on our earth. Five extraordinary points are the key to this: the fight against inequality and poverty, the path to self-determination, a comprehensive energy transition and the turnaround towards a new, sustainable economy. At Anuga FoodTec 2024, the internationally renowned expert for energy policy and sustainability will reflect on what sustainable transformation means in the food industry.

background objects
In 2050, between nine and ten billion people will live on earth, the majority of them in urban areas. Around 80 percent of food will be consumed in cities, which will further increase the pressure on limited resources such as land, water and energy. Global food systems must fundamentally change so that they do not further fuel climate change. “This requires new growth indicators that take into account the protection of our livelihoods. The food industry has to adapt to this,” explains Dixson-Declève.

The buzzword of the hour: Responsibility
Describing the future role of a climate-neutral food system in all its forms is a central concern of this year's Anuga FoodTec. With its guiding theme of 'Responsibility', the international information and business platform from March 19th to 22nd in Cologne will focus on the numerous energy and resource efficient solutions and measures - across the entire value chain.

The four core messages of the trade fair:

• Setting the right course for tomorrow.
• On the way to climate neutrality: What are the biggest challenges?
• Adding value in the F&B industry: How can we make a positive contribution together?
• For global food security: What opportunities do technological innovations offer?

The industry meeting thus meets the global food industry's desire for greater commitment to environmental issues and resource conservation. The companies work together with their suppliers on concepts and strategies for the responsible use of resources. Switching to renewable energies, reducing energy requirements, for example through improved process management and systems with higher efficiencies, reduced energy losses and the reduction of quality-related or process-related waste of raw materials and food are just some of the topics that are at the top of the industry's agenda stand. Climate-neutral production is also closely linked to a comprehensively improved recycling and packaging system and the switch to more resource-efficient alternative protein sources.

The change is being accelerated by consumers becoming increasingly aware of the connections between food and sustainability aspects. The latest successes on the way to the “Green Zero” will also be visible at the Main Stage Responsibility in the Cologne exhibition halls. As part of the congress and event program organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), there will be events on all four days The trade fair discussed the most important concerns of the industry, presented innovations and offered numerous opportunities for networking. Following on from these interactive events, the International FoodTec Award, initiated by the DLG and its partners since 1994, offers another highlight on March 19th: It honors outstanding innovations and sustainability and efficiency improvements in food technology. An international jury, consisting of experts from research, teaching and practice, selects the most innovative concepts for the award. Sandrine Dixson-Declève is convinced that all of these are indicators that “the initial conditions in the “The food industry is very good at making a far-reaching contribution to decarbonization with intelligent technology and efficient processes.”

Solutions for a more climate-friendly future
Dixson-Declève has more than 25 years of experience in climate change, sustainability, innovation and energy. She studied international relations and French at the University of California Davis, one of the most prestigious universities for sustainability and agriculture in the United States, and completed a master's degree in environmental science in her native Belgium. She also serves on several non-executive and advisory bodies, including the Climate Governance Commission, EDP, BMW, UCB Climate KIC, Leonardo Centre, Imperial College London, and is a senior associate and faculty member of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Ambassador of the Energy Transition Commission (ETC), Wellbeing Alliance (WeAll) and Fellow of the World Academy of Science & Art. Until recently, Sandrine was Chair of the European Commission's Expert Group on the Economic and Social Impact of Research and Innovation (ESIR). She also participated in the European Commission's mission on climate change adaptation. Reuters named her one of the world's 25 female trailblazers and GreenBiz named her one of the 30 most influential women internationally driving the transition to a low-carbon economy and helping to promote green businesses. Since 2018 she has been co-president of the Club of Rome and executive chair of Earth4All. She also gives lectures and acts as a consultant and moderator in discussions of complex topics.

Further information: Anuga FoodTec is the leading international supplier trade fair for the food and beverage industry. Organized by Koelnmesse, the trade fair will take place in Cologne from March 19th to 22nd, 2024 and focuses on the key theme of responsibility. The technical and intellectual sponsor is the DLG, German Agricultural Society.

www.anugafoodtec.de