Food systems are the missing ingredient in the COP30 menu

Juliana Arciniegas is a former negotiator of climate and environmental treaties in Colombia. She is currently directing the nature agenda to the transformation of the Latin American reflection group.

With Brazil – a world leader in the fight against hunger and the house to the largest part of the Amazon forest – the accommodation of COP30, the hopes faced that the transformation of the food system will finally be at the heart of the United Nations climate negotiations.

Keeping in the city of Belém, bridge to the Amazon, the summit places the link to climate nature under the spotlight, while the leaders make decisions that will shape the future of the tropical forest and the communities of which they are guests.

However, the food systems, the largest engine of deforestation and responsible for around a third of the world’s emissions, were again sidelined. Although they are very vulnerable to climate change, they also have immense potential to maintain climate change. To neglect them is not only a missed opportunity for Brazil to strengthen its leadership, it risks undermining critical initiatives such as forest protection.

Why, then, has one of the most powerful climatic solutions been left on the agenda of COP30, recently set up by the desirable president André Aranha Corêa do Lago?

“No money”: the CEO of COP30 minimizes the impact of annual climatic vertices

Broken food system

In the world, countries are faced with the consequences of a broken food system that feeds the climate crisis threatening food production. Our current system fuels the benefits of food giants while leaving family farmers, consumers faced with the increase in food costs and governments having to respond. This will continue tirelessly as usual.

The intergovernmental panel on climate change is unambiguous. His sixth evaluation report said that climate change has already reduced food security and will be increasingly putting food for food production and access, especially in vulnerable regions.

The agricultural sector in the world is a climate culprit, as well as a victim. Not only produces 30% of anthropogenic emissions, but agriculture is also responsible for up to 80% of tropical deforestation worldwide. There is simply no way to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement without spectacular reduction in agriculture, forestry and other land emissions (AFOLU).

The good news is that the sector also has a large potential. Practices such as agroforestry, biochar, diversification of crops, reducing labor work and the use of sustainable fertilizers could reduce some 10 to 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and rave 0.3 ° C of advanced warming.

Support for family farmers

Brazil acts on some of these challenges. During his presidency of the G20, he launched the world alliance against hunger and poverty. At COP28, he co -founded the Champions Alliance for the transformation of food systems. This year, he should establish the installation of tropical forests Forever, which promises to generate transformative funding to combat deforestation. However, if COP30 does not deal with the role of food and agriculture in conducting this deforestation, this may treat the symptom, not the disease.

The president of COP, Do LAGO, rightly underlined the need to raise the adaptation in priority during climatic talks. Family farmers are essential to this: they are essential to global supply chains and hold solutions to ensure food security in a changing climate.

However, in the current system, they often lack funding and political support to do so. In 2021-222, only 14% ($ 1.3 billion) of international financing of the public climate for agriculture and the use of land aimed at small farmers.

The talks of the United Nations biodiversity are suitable for the finance roadmap, the decision to postpone a new fund

This is another area where Brazil acts. Last year, President Lula Da Silva launched a national agroecology and biological production plan which, among other things, helps family farmers become more resilient in the climate.

Do Lago is clear on the need for COP30 delivery. “Words and text must be translated into practice and real transformations on the ground,” he wrote. What does this mean for food and agriculture?

Funding for sustainable agriculture

First, Andrea Do Lago rightly highlighted the importance of the Global Stocktake (TPS) to pass from the equipment agreements to action. Based on the objectives of transforming the food system of the first TPS in 2023, Belem should see the non -state countries and actors decide on a roadmap, with guiding options and economic incentives, to support national transitional efforts to sustainable agricultural practices.

Second, COP30 must define concrete measures so that countries reach the objective of TPS to stop and reverse forest degradation by 2030, in accordance with the targets of the United Nations biodiversity. This must include support for countries to combat the specific causes of deforestation, including agriculture, mining and infrastructure.

Third, with countries due to subject their new action plans – NDC – by September 2025, these must include targets, schedules and funds to transform their national food systems. They do not start from zero – to COP28, more than 150 countries have registered in the declaration of Emirates food systems with measures such as the reduction of AFOLUS emissions, access to healthy and sustainable regimes and the creation of farmers at the heart of the implementation.

Fourth, COP30 is a pivotal moment to fill the climate funding gap. Brazil has always urged rich countries to finance the adaptation and transition of developing countries to sustainable agriculture. COP29’s Baku-to Belém roadmap must show progress in the mobilization of at least $ 1.3 billion of dollars per year by 2035 and allocating specific funds for nature and sustainable food systems. Financial policies discussed during climatic talks must align with fair trade, prices and subsidies that encourage the protection of ecosystems and support farmers and local communities.

The head of COP30 calls for global action on climate action while cooperation vacillates

In a context of tense geopolitics and international aid expenditure, it is more important than ever that leaders recognize the importance of investing in a global sustainable food system to protect national priorities.

A transformed system that addresses malnutrition, correctly compensates for farmers, improves productivity and protects the environment could offer net economic advantages of 5 to 10 billions of dollars per year. With in -depth expertise in the fight against hunger, support for family farmers and the stewardship of the Amazon, Brazil is particularly well placed to seize the opportunity for COP30 to inspire a revolution in the food system – an ecological imperative and an economic necessity for all of us.