BAKU, Azerbaijan—The only way to reduce carbon emissions and restore nature on the path to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is to transform our agri-food systems, the director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), told the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) here.
This transformation to more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable global agri-food systems, according to FAO chief’ Qu Dongyu, is increasingly recognized as essential for achieving the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The shift “holds solutions for the climate crisis and the interlinked challenges of food, water, land and biodiversity,” Qu told a High-Level Party Event entitled Cutting Carbon, Adapting Food Systems and Restoring Nature on the Path to 1.5C.
Every year, countries participating in the climate convention inform FAO about how the climate crisis is severely affecting their agri-food systems. Farmers, herders, fisherfolk, and producers rely on these systems for their income, food, and nutrition. They are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and all too often, are among the 730 million people facing hunger today.
Transforming agri-food systems requires more financing and investments that reach agricultural communities, leveraging private investments and help in repurposing agricultural investments, the FAO chief said.
Qu stressed that agri-food systems must be integrated into national plans and prioritized in multilateral environmental agreements. Every Nationally Determined Contribution should reflect the full potential of climate action from agrifood system transformation.
Looking ahead, FAO proposes to reconvene at COP30 to discuss how to accelerate efforts to combat deforestation, which is a critical aspect of the climate action needed for transforming agrifood systems, the Director-General said.
COP29 has been coined the Finance COP and not without good reason, as a major focus of the negotiations is climate finance. Financing and investment are insufficient for agrifood systems transformation. Directing finance to agri-food systems and ensuring this finance effectively reaches agricultural communities is critical.
For this reason Qu spoke at several FAO-led events on climate finance. In a separate High-Level Party Event in Baku focused on accelerating climate finance for resilient agrifood systems in fragile and conflict-affected countries, Qu highlighted that conflict, along with climate and economic crises, pushed the number of people facing hunger to 733 million in 2023, with one in five residing in Africa. Additionally, 135 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity in 20 conflict-affected countries or territories.
“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,” Qu said. “Yet, not enough is being invested in these win-win solutions.”
Qu noted that in 2022, agrifood systems received $29 billion—just 23 percent of total climate-related development finance. To meet net-zero targets, agrifood systems require approximately $1 trillion annually until 2030. It is countries in fragile settings that feel this funding gap the most, he said.
“We must scale up support and financing urgently to enhance adaptation and build resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries,” Qu said. Climate action is possible and “can help promote development and build peace.” FAO News
