FAO Chief at COP29: Global Agrifood System Transformation is Key to Reducing Carbon Emissions

By shifting towards more sustainable practices—such as regenerative agriculture, better water management, and reducing food waste—agrifood systems can play a crucial role in lowering emissions and enhancing resilience against climate impacts.

By Shruti Verma
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Global Agrifood System Transformation FAO COP29

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), underscored that a global transformation in agrofood systems is essential to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Speaking at a High-Level Event titled Cutting Carbon, Adapting Food Systems, and Restoring Nature on the Path to 1.5°C, he emphasized that more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agrofood systems hold crucial solutions for tackling the climate crisis and addressing interconnected challenges related to food, water, land, and biodiversity.

“Holds solutions for the climate crisis and the interlinked challenges of food, water, land, and biodiversity,” as stated by Qu, highlighting the vulnerability of farmers, herders, and fisherfolk who depend on these systems. Today, approximately 730 million people face hunger, a staggering figure that reflects the urgency of action.

A Call for Investment in Agrifood Systems

Qu stressed the need for robust climate financing aimed at transforming agrifood systems, with a focus on ensuring funds reach agricultural communities. Notably, COP29, referred to as the “Finance COP,” prioritizes climate finance. Yet, as Qu pointed out, agrifood systems currently receive only 23 percent of total climate-related development finance, amounting to $29 billion in 2022. To meet net-zero goals by 2030, approximately $1 trillion annually is needed, especially in fragile and conflict-affected regions where the gap is most acute.

“Building and financing resilient agrifood systems in fragile and conflict-affected areas addresses climate and food crises, and saves the lives and livelihoods of millions of people,” said Qu at a dedicated event focused on resilience in conflict zones. “We must scale up investment to build resilience in these regions where hunger and instability are most severe.”

Future Food Livestock & Poultry Expo 2025

From Declarations to Action

Looking back on COP28, FAO celebrated the Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace, a call from 70 governments and 39 organizations to boost resilience in fragile nations. Qu reported progress on this front, noting a $169 million allocation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for FAO-led projects in Somalia, Iraq, and Burundi to enhance climate resilience for rural communities grappling with poverty and weather-related challenges.

Also read: Diageo India Launches Regenerative Agriculture Programme to Cut Carbon & Water Footprint

These initiatives align with FAO’s Four Betters approach: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. “Our collective work towards transforming agrifood systems aims to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Qu.

Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative

Marking a notable milestone, COP29 also saw the introduction of the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, which aims to bolster sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen resilience among farming communities. Co-chaired by Azerbaijan and Egypt, and hosted under FAO’s FAST Partnership, the initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to supporting sustainable agrifood transformation across the globe.

“We must scale up support and financing urgently to enhance adaptation and build resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries,” Qu concluded. As COP30 approaches, FAO plans to revisit these efforts, aiming to accelerate strategies against deforestation and to fortify agrofood systems as an integral part of climate action. The momentum generated at COP29 underscores a clear mandate: transforming global agrofood systems is indispensable in the fight against climate change and critical for ensuring food security and resilience for generations to come.

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