Food and Agriculture at COP29

Share This Article

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11th to 22nd November 2024 attracted over 56,000 delegates. This year again, the Food and Agriculture sector had a dedicated day (19th November 2024) to spotlight the critical intersection of food systems, agriculture, and climate change. These discussions are crucial because agriculture is both a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and one of the sectors most affected by extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

Around 1.23 billion people were employed in the world’s agrifood systems in 2019, and almost half the world’s population lives in households linked to agrifood systems.¹ Given the need to produce more food for an increasing population with shrinking resources, it is important to integrate agriculture into the global climate conversation. Between 1991 and 2021, disasters linked to climate change caused an estimated USD 3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses, making the need pressing.² Agricultural losses not only risk food security but also impact economies and communities, especially vulnerable communities.

Key Themes and Initiatives

The Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers

The COP29 Presidency, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), launched the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, recognizing the necessary role of farmers as agents of climate action. This initiative will consolidate various scattered efforts and streamline investments toward existing climate initiatives in food and agriculture. This will help identify gaps and opportunities for future policymaking and empower farmers, villages, and rural communities.

Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration

The COP29 Presidency launched the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration, developed with the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). It builds on the work of previous COPs by supporting the implementation of the 2021 Global Methane Pledge (GMP), aiming to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. Over 30 states, representing 47% of global methane emissions from organic waste, signed the declaration. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture partnered with CCAC to develop a methane reduction roadmap for the country’s agricultural sector.

Climate Finance

COP29 emphasized increasing financial support for developing countries to combat climate change. Developed nations committed to tripling annual financial aid to USD 300 billion by 2035, with a collaborative effort to mobilize USD 1.3 trillion annually by the same year. Agriculture and food systems received USD 29 billion in climate development finance in 2022, roughly 23% of total climate finance. The operational Loss and Damage Fund will begin financing projects in 2025, providing critical support for those impacted by climate change.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

A new FAO analysis finds that nearly all countries prioritize agrifood systems for climate change adaptation (94%) and mitigation (91%) in their NDCs. This underscores the potential of agrifood systems as climate solutions, with recommendations to place them at the forefront of global climate strategies.

The Triple Gap in Finance for Agrifood Systems

The ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC) and FAO released a report highlighting that sustainable agrifood system investments must increase by 40 times current levels to achieve climate targets. Global agrifood systems require USD 1.1 trillion annually until 2030 to meet emission reduction and resilience goals.

The Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF)

ACF reconvened at COP29 to highlight progress made since COP28 and unite efforts to prioritize climate finance for food systems. Key successes and future priorities were outlined by members such as Brazil, Norway, and Sierra Leone.

The Agri-Food Systems Summit

The summit brought together global leaders, farmers, and innovators to discuss food system transformations. A just transition was emphasized to empower farmers and address systemic challenges like inequitable value chains.

The Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership

Launched at COP27, FAST showcased its milestones and goals for accelerating agrifood system transformations. The U.S. joined this initiative at COP29, committing to innovation, research, and climate-smart agriculture investments.

Money Well Spent?

Family Farmers for Climate Action released a report stating that grassroots farming organizations receive only 14% of public agriculture financing, despite producing the majority of food in Africa and Asia.

Soil Conservation

Soil advocacy groups urged more climate financing to restore degraded soils. FAO projects that 90% of the world’s topsoil could be at risk by 2050 due to unsustainable practices.

Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate

AIM, led by the UAE and the U.S., announced funding increases for climate-smart agriculture, now totaling USD 29.2 billion, up from USD 17 billion at the last COP.

COP29 marked a significant step in integrating food systems into the global climate agenda. Implementation remains key as sustainable agriculture becomes imperative with over 700 million people still facing hunger worldwide.⁵