5 June, 2019, Geneva, Switzerland and Paris, France - Climate Change poses a serious threat to future food supplies because of animal and plant species disappearing at an unprecedented rate. This will transform the way we produce, market and consume food, but for this to happen we must change our relationship with food both as producers and consumers. With a global population of 7 billion people and dwindling natural resources, we, as individuals, businesses and societies, need to learn to live and act in a sustainable way.

This is pushing companies to look for new and more sustainable solutions. They are beginning to understand that this shift is inevitable and are starting to incorporate sustainability in their long-term business strategies. The big change should be implemented at all levels from the supply chain, through the employees to the way consumers are informed and educated. Sustainable food systems are the future of food and agriculture however they require shared solutions and some cross-sectoral collaboration.

Last year UNITAR joined forces with Danone. The partnership aims to support and facilitate the implementation of Agenda 2030 and particularly those goals and targets that address environmental and health issues. The initiative will empower over 130 000 Danone's employees and almost 200 000 UN CC:eLearn members, with the knowledge and skills needed to take action against climate change by making better-informed food choices. UNITAR's mission is to develop the capacities to enhance global decision-making and to support country-level action for shaping a better future. The Institute provides knowledge-based solutions to contemporary global challenges. Partnerships with other multilateral organisations are at the core of UNITAR's approach. That was the basis for setting up The ONE UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn) bringing together over 30 different organisations. Through this mechanism, UNITAR has partnered with Danone. The company's #OnePlanetOneHealth vision has been aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to help Danone change the paradigm and reinvent people's attitude towards food and thus the environment. Companies have to make some serious strategic changes to give consumers the transparency they’re looking for in the supply chain. They should also facilitate learning and knowledge sharing on climate change and sustainability. By highlighting the environmental and social aspects of food production and consumption, the UNITAR Danone partnership is seeking to shift mindsets towards a more sustainable way of living. It is vital to incorporate sustainability into lifestyles and this starts with gaining an awareness of the impact of our everyday dietary choices. The food we eat has a huge effect on both human health and the well-being of our planet. Thoughtful and ethical consumption starts with knowledge, awareness, and information that empowers people to become agents of change by making well-informed choices which positively impact the planet. It is about including sustainable development issues, such as climate change and biodiversity, into consumers' decision-making. Both the business community and consumers need to contribute.

The partnership between Unitar and Danone has resulted in a developing an exciting e-learning course which will help Danoners as well as thousands of consumers all over the world to better understand the social and environmental impact of their food choices. Awareness of these issues is a starting point to change our relationship with the planet through our daily choices, and when it comes to Danone's employees - also their work-related decisions that will allow the company to shift into a full sustainability mode.