Smart Net-Zero

November 20, 2024 | Climate Action |

COP29’s Food, Water, and Agriculture Day highlighted the dual role of agri-food systems in mitigating and adapting to climate change. These systems, responsible for nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, also face severe climate-related risks, making resilience and sustainability essential.

FAO analyses revealed significant gaps in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with only 40% of agricultural emissions addressed and major shortfalls in livestock and pre- and post-production emissions. Denmark’s groundbreaking emission tax on livestock sets a precedent for closing these gaps.

New initiatives, such as the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration and the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers, were introduced to prioritize methane reduction and empower farmers. However, inadequate climate finance persists, with funding for agri-food systems dropping to 23% of climate-related aid, leaving smallholder farmers—who receive less than 1% of this funding and produce a third of the world’s food—especially vulnerable. The Agri-Food Systems Summit underscored the need for innovation, equitable finance, and farmer-led solutions to ensure a just transition toward resilient food systems.