Here’s What’s On The Table For Food Systems At COP29

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan still more than three months away, much of the focus is on climate finance. However, food systems advocates are eager to ensure that food and agriculture remain central topics, building on the momentum from COP28 in Dubai.

COP28 marked a significant landmark with the first-ever dedicated day for food. This milestone was further highlighted by the groundbreaking “Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action,” which was signed by over 150 countries— almost all of the member states of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The joint Sharm-El Sheikh Support Programme, a three-year support package for farmers, food producers, small agribusinesses and local communities was also announced.

On July 17th, the COP29 Presidency released its first Letter to Parties and Constituencies, outlining plans and expectations for the summit. The letter announced that Food, Agriculture, and Water Day will take place on November 19th.

“The Thematic Day devoted to Food, Agriculture, and Water at COP29 demonstrates the importance the COP29 Presidency places on agriculture and advancing sustainable and resilient food systems globally,” says Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate. “Climate change is already lowering crop yields, contributing to water shortages and land degradation, and limiting our ability to feed a growing planet.”

One of 14 initiatives in the COP29 action agenda “designed to enhance ambition and enable action” at COP29 is the Harmoniya 4 Climate Resilience Initiative, a joint project by the COP29 Presidency and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

This key element of the COP29 food systems agenda seeks to unite and link diverse networks, and partnerships to exchange experiences, pinpoint synergies and gaps, and promote collaboration centered on the agriculture, food, and water nexus. Additionally, it highlights the importance of empowering local communities and women in rural areas.

The Baku Dialogue on Water and Climate— another item on the COP29 action agenda that impacts food systems— will enhance action on the climate-water nexus, bringing together governments, UN organizations, academia, and the private sector to work collectively on water-related climate change adaptation.

In addition to the specified Food, Agriculture and Water Day, themed days, such as Science, Technology and Innovation Day (November 16^th) and Human Capital, Children and Youth, Health and Education Day (November 18^th) will provide critical opportunities to highlight the overlap between agri-food and other sectors.

November 15^th, Energy, Peace, Relief and Recovery Day will provide a crucial opportunity to launch the COP Truce Appeal action item, addressing the climate-conflict nexus, and revisit implementation of the landmark Climate Relief, Recovery, and Peace Declaration, a political recognition of disparities in climate finance and action based on fragility and conflict which was launched at COP28, which takes into account food vulnerability in fragile and conflict settings.

On June 26^th, The UN World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the COP28 and COP29 presidencies convened a high-level meeting in preparation for COP29, calling for an urgent scaling up of climate action and financing for adapted and resilient agri-food systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

“Based on discussions, we heard the focus on food security as well as such crucial areas for food security as water scarcity and safe access to land will serve as entry points at COP29 to organizing discussions and actions which can bear practical and solution-oriented outcomes in ensuring climate resilient agriculture in fragility settings,” said Senior Adviser to the Azerbaijan COP29 Presidency, Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov.

But amidst all the anticipation leading up to what has aptly been dubbed “The Finance COP,” no thematic area will be more prominent at this year’s climate talks than that of climate finance.

Nearly 200 nations will strive to agree on a new financing target— the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)— which will replace the original $100 billion annual commitment from developed countries to developing countries, as per their needs and priorities, for climate action. Food systems advocates are striving for a dedicated sub-goal for food systems within this broader climate finance framework.

“COP29 will address the need for increased climate finance to support the sectors and developing countries where agriculture is a major livelihood and vulnerability factor,” says COP29 President-Designate Babayev.

According to a recent report by the Climate Policy Initiative, only 4% of global climate finance reached agri-food systems between 2019 and 2020. An estimated $680 billion needs to be mobilized annually to 2030 to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The FAST partnership, established at COP27 and championed at COP28, focuses on improving the quantity and quality of climate finance for agri-food systems, particularly benefiting smallholder farmers, women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.

Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, is a recent FAST Partnership Board Member and co-chair, which presents a strategic opportunity to accelerate progress in allocating climate finance towards the agri-food sector.

The COP29 Presidency is urging countries to include food systems in their planning processes.

“Last year, many countries pledged to include food systems in their upcoming National Adaptation Plans,” says COP29 President-Designate Babayev. “This focus is needed to protect farmers and food systems from a warming planet and address agriculture’s role in climate change… By integrating agriculture into national climate strategies, COP29 aims to promote sustainable practices and enhance food system resilience.”

This year, the green zone will feature a unified Action on Food Hub, merging the Food Systems Pavilion, Food4Climate Pavilion, and Future Economy Forum Pavilion to represent the entire food systems community. This integration aims to enhance collaboration and provide greater opportunities for the food community to engage with international climate negotiations.

The Action on Food hub will highlight food systems as key solutions to the climate crisis and support the development of policies that promote the transition to healthier, sustainable, just, and resilient food systems for all. It will create an inclusive space for dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships among stakeholders from across the food system, with a particular focus on elevating the voices of marginalized communities.

The hub will be organized into three main areas: a plenary space managed by the Food Systems Partnership, a round table space managed by the Future Economy Forum, and a policy zone managed by the Food4Climate Community.

Additionally, COP29 will feature food systems side events, building on the momentum from COP28, which hosted more than 700 side events on food.

“COP27 and 28 put food systems firmly on the agenda and consolidated bold, high-level political commitment. Now, COP29 must focus on accelerating implementation,” says Oliver Camp, Environment and Food Systems Advocacy Advisor at Swiss NGO, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.

“The Harmoniya initiative shows that we are on the right track, as it seeks to improve coherence and coordination among food systems stakeholders. Elsewhere, climate-health links are being brought to the fore— and nutritious diets sourced from sustainable and resilient food systems are at the heart of this conversation. In the critical conversations about climate finance and updated national plans, food is not a side issue and cannot be treated as such. To achieve Paris Agreement goals, or the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, we must act with urgency to fix food systems, bringing them back within our planetary boundaries, and ensuring healthier diets for all.”