How Can We Tackle the Food and Climate Crises Together? Insights from COP29

At the Food & Agriculture Pavilion during COP29, experts gathered to explore how transforming food systems can address the interconnected challenges of climate change and food security. The panel featured three diverse perspectives on the critical need for sustainable practices and financial mechanisms to drive transformation, offering innovative and scalable solutions for the future.

Connecting GHG emissions mitigation in food systems with SDGs

Diana Gutiérrez - Researcher from the Alliance’s 'Low-Emissions Food Systems' team - emphasized the importance of integrating climate change mitigation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She introduced components of a framework her team has been developing, highlighting how greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts within food systems can align with SDGs like Climate Action (SDG 13), Responsible Consumption (SDG 12), and Life on Land (SDG 15).

Diana shared examples from Colombia, such as sustainable land-use systems (SLUS) such as deforestation-free cocoa agroforestry and silvopastoral systems. These practices not only reduce emissions but also foster income diversification, mitigate economic risks, and strengthen social cohesion in conflict-affected areas.

She also spotlighted innovative financial mechanisms like the Works for Taxes mechanism, which allows companies to invest in green initiatives, such as sustainable cacao farming, to fulfill tax obligations. This approach integrates socioeconomic development with climate change mitigation and aligns with the principles of Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement as a potential Non-Market Approach (NMA).

A few days ago, Alliance scientist Eliza Villarino actively engaged with the Glasgow Committee on Non-Market Approaches (GCNMA) at the in-session workshop, noting that the framework for integrating climate change mitigation with SDGs align closely with Article 6.8 and related decisions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA).

Five key solutions from food systems

Dr. Nandan Mukherjee - Lead of Adaptation and Resilience at the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, and Fellow of the Center for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) at BRAC University - underscored the massive potential of food systems to address the climate crisis. He shared five solutions that could reduce up to 70% of the 300 gigatons of CO₂ added to the atmosphere over the last millennium:

Reducing food waste: With one billion tons of food wasted annually, tackling this issue could save up to 108 gigatons of CO₂.
Reducing meat consumption: Livestock production accounts for an estimated 14.5% of global emissions, so adopting plant-rich diets could reduce emissions by 78.3 gigatons.
Restoring peatlands and wetlands: These ecosystems, which store twice as much carbon as all forests combined, could save 25 gigatons of CO₂.
Adopting regenerative agriculture: Practices such as crop rotation and polyculture farming could cut 15 gigatons of emissions.
Conservation agriculture: Soil conservation strategies could save 12 gigatons of CO₂.

Dr. Mukherjee also emphasized the profitability of agriculture, noting that each unit invested in the sector can yield a tenfold return. He highlighted innovative financial solutions, such as BRAC’s microfinance program in Bangladesh, which integrates crop insurance to mitigate losses for low-income farmers. Funded by organizations like the Swiss Embassy and local insurers, this model transfers risks to large corporations and demonstrates how blended finance mechanisms can support sustainable agriculture globally.

Policy and financial mechanisms in Colombia

Margarita Gutiérrez - Colombian Policy Advisor - discussed national strategies to promote sustainable agricultural systems. She highlighted Colombia's Sustainable Cattle Ranching program, which began a decade ago and has now become a national policy. This initiative acknowledges diverse agricultural systems while encouraging associations, industrialization, and climate-smart practices.

Margarita explained that many areas supporting sustainable livestock practices are also home to strategic ecosystems critical for biodiversity and carbon storage. Colombia’s land-use planning prioritizes technical assistance and agricultural schemes that balance economic development with environmental sustainability.

She also stressed the importance of linking rural and urban areas, fostering awareness of food origins, and promoting inclusive development models. Initiatives such as nurseries projects on food production and forest restoration have enhanced food security and community resilience in vulnerable populations in Colombia.

Margarita highlighted innovative mechanisms employed by Colombia to support sustainable agriculture, including:

Payments for Environmental Services (PES): Water management companies must invest 1% of their profits into PES programs.
Microcredit Programs: These have been instrumental in supporting small-scale farmers, recognizing agriculture as a viable business through financial and technical assistance.
Carbon Taxes: Revenue from carbon taxes paid by large companies is reinvested into strategic areas such as national parks, contributing to biodiversity conservation and carbon storage.

The session showcased how integrated approaches to food systems can address both food and climate crises. From Colombia to Bangladesh, the panelists demonstrated how innovative practices, financial mechanisms, and inclusive policies can create scalable solutions for a sustainable and equitable future. These insights reaffirm the pivotal role of food systems in driving global climate action and achieving the SDGs.