Working under the umbrella of ‘Nourish Scotland and partners’ the PSC100 Group, a collaborative enterprise of catering industry leaders, will be one of a number of Scottish, UK and overseas organisations which will highlight the role of food in curbing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability as part of the COP26 Food and Climate Zone.
A spokesman for Nourish Scotland said: “Join us and our partners as we bring to life a 12-day event dedicated to food and climate during COP26.
“The event will highlight the importance of food systems within climate conversation through a dynamic variety of panels, screenings, hands-on events and community engagement.”
Among the first sessions of COP26, on Tuesday, November 2nd, the PSC100 Group will be hosting a virtual session titled: Public Sector Catering 100: The Power of Public Catering.
Running from 11.30am until 1pm, the session will include a panel discussion around the important role that public sector food has to play in tackling the climate emergency, highlighting how we work in partnership with industry and academics to demonstrate how a sustainable food systems approach to public sector food is already underway.
Speakers signed up include Jayne Jones, chair of ASSIST FM, Brian Robb, chair of the Hospital Caterers Association and Angela Tregear of the University of Edinburgh Business School.
Other sessions in the Food and Climate Zone during COP26 will see the Eating Better alliance screening a film called ‘Producing Better’.
Running from 12.30pm until 1.15pm, it features an organic Devonshire beef farm which highlights that regenerative/agroecological models can boost soil health and biodiversity.
The screening will be followed by a Q & A session and a longer discussion titled ‘Cows in a Net Zero World’.
Nourish Scotland itself will present The Global Dialogues on Friday, November 5, an all-day event it is calling a ‘Global Fork to Farm dialogue’ that aims to bring together government representatives with practicing farmers.
“During a day without speeches – one of roundtable discussions, facilitated learning, and frank exchange – participants will bring food systems close to the climate negotiations,” said a spokesman.
On Sunday, November 7th the WWF and Nourish Scotland team up to present an evening session called ‘Healthy & Sustainable Diets’ in which food systems experts will explore the inextricable link between healthy and sustainable diets and public health, local food systems, food workers, and biodiversity.
Speakers include WWF Global Food Lead Scientist Brent Loken, Executive Director of Nourish Scotland Pete Ritchie, and Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg.
And on Thursday, November 11th another partnering organisation, The Soil Association, will present its own session: Connecting Climate Change and School Meals.
A spokesman said: “Join us for a fun and informative afternoon as we join the dots from farm to fork - demonstrating the importance of school meals in the fight against the interconnected climate, nature and health crises.
“We’ll meet sustainability champions from Food for Life Scotland, school caterers, young people and farmers for interactive activities and tastings showcasing sustainable and seasonal school meals and a lively debate on the future of farming.”
The Nourish Scotland partners for the Food and Climate Zone sessions include: PSC100 Group; Eating Better alliance, Sustain, The Vegan Society, The Global Alliance for the Future of Food; Soil Association; Fare Share and The Food Foundation.
If you would like to join the PSC100 event on November 2nd starting at 11am you can register here.
Join the event via zoom link: Register here