News and Insights
Momentum Builds on Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP29
November 20, 2024
Day Eight of COP29 in Baku was dedicated to Food, Agriculture, and Water – critical pillars in addressing climate change. As negotiations progressed into what some call the “valley of death,” the challenge was palpable, yet glimpses of optimism and progress shone through.
The day’s agenda was underscored by a renewed urgency to tackle emissions from agriculture and waste. The COP29 presidency announced the *Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration*, targeting emissions from landfills, which account for 20% of human-related methane emissions. Yalchin Rafiyev, the lead negotiator, emphasised the significance of this initiative: “Reducing methane emissions this decade is our emergency brake in the climate emergency.” Over 30 nations, representing nearly half of global methane emissions from organic waste, endorsed the declaration, marking a critical step forward.
UNEP’s Martina Otto praised the initiative, stating, “We also want to make sure we’re not losing food that could feed people and is instead feeding climate change.” She stressed the dual benefits of using trapped methane as an energy source and reusing food waste as a protein source.
Financing the Climate Fight
Financing climate action remained a contentious topic, with a call for $1.3 trillion annually to address climate impacts. Developing nations insisted on grants rather than loans to avoid exacerbating debt burdens, while developed nations pushed for private sector contributions. Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Biman Prasad, criticised the allocation of resources, stating, “The money is there. It is just in exactly the wrong place.”
Amidst these debates, the Australian government pledged AU$50 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, a commitment applauded by advocacy groups. Erin Ryan from Climate Action Network Australia highlighted its significance, remarking, “This funding will make a real difference to kids who lost years of education after their schools were destroyed by cyclones, or families recovering from loss of income as their crops dried up in droughts.”
The United States also made headlines by contributing $325 million to the Climate Investment Funds, bolstering projects in low-carbon energy across developing nations.
Rallying for Global Cooperation
In Rio de Janeiro, G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the transition away from fossil fuels, despite Saudi Arabia’s attempts to obstruct progress. The G20 communiqué was seen as a boost for negotiators in Baku. Mohamed Adow of Power Shift Africa noted, “We needed to see a strong signal from the G20, and we got that on finance.”
However, frustration at the slow pace of negotiations lingered. Jamie Williams from Islamic Relief Worldwide encapsulated the mood: “There are icebergs melting quicker than the talks are proceeding.” He urged governments to prioritise public finance, warning against over-reliance on private sector solutions.
Addressing Food Systems and Agriculture
The day also highlighted the intersection of climate change with food and agriculture. Industrial agriculture representatives, including major corporations like JBS and PepsiCo, attended the summit, raising questions about their influence on discussions. With agriculture contributing up to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, advocacy groups stressed the need for systemic change.
The US Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack showcased the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate initiative, which secured $29.2 billion in funding for resilient food systems. This initiative, co-led by the US and UAE, aims to catalyse sustainable practices globally.
The Road Ahead
As the summit approaches its conclusion, the stakes have never been higher. While breakthroughs in methane reduction and climate financing signal progress, the challenges of consensus-building and addressing entrenched interests remain formidable. Yet, there is hope. As Brenda Mallory from the White House Council on Environmental Quality expressed, “There’s a groundswell of momentum that I don’t think any administration…would be in a position to stop.”
COP29’s Food, Agriculture, and Water Day underscored the critical need for immediate, bold action. With the world watching, negotiators must seize this moment to lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.
POSTED BY: Chris Nial
