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The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) convened world leaders to negotiate global climate action. These annual summits play a crucial role in advancing international agreements like the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global warming to below 1.5°C. For the food and beverage industry, COP29 carries significant implications, offering a global platform to address climate change and develop frameworks for mitigating its impact. FoodBev’s Rafaela Sousa explores. 

Food and agriculture are critical to the COP29 discussions, as the sector contributes approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change, with extreme weather events, rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns threatening food security worldwide.  

COP29 provides an opportunity to address these challenges by promoting sustainable farming practices, reducing emissions and building climate resilience in food systems. 

This year’s conference united nearly 200 countries at its location for 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Day nine of the summit was dedicated to ‘Food, Water and Agriculture’.  

The day included a series of initiatives focused on supporting local farmers as they adapt to climate challenges, as well as commitments to reducing methane emissions from organic waste, and much more. Here, we take a look at what this year’s conference could mean for the global food and food manufacturing sectors.   

Tackling methane emissions 

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has the potential to significantly accelerate climate change. Organic waste, including food waste, agricultural byproducts and yard waste, is the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, trailing only agriculture and fossil fuels.  

As part of the Global Methane Pledge launched at COP26, which calls for a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030, the new declaration emphasises the urgent need for action on organic waste management. 

The COP29 Presidency launched the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration, with over 30 countries, including seven of the world’s ten largest organic waste methane emitters, as initial signatories. Together, they represent 47% of global methane emissions from organic waste. Signatories committed to setting sector-specific methane reduction targets within their future NDCs and implementing policies and roadmaps to achieve these targets. 

“Fast-tracking actions to reduce methane from organic waste is critical to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach and can strengthen our food systems globally while harnessing circular economy opportunities” said Martina Otto, head of the UNEP-Convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Secretariat.  

She continued: “Given over 50% of municipal solid waste is organic waste that emits methane, and nearly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted each year, this declaration will help to increase ambition in the prevention, separate collection and improved management of organic waste, including through targets in the next round of countries’ climate plans, cooperation across all levels of government and finance, and helping us keep food out of landfills.” 

Strengthening agriculture 

In parallel with efforts to curb methane emissions, the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers was launched by the COP29 Presidency in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

This initiative recognises the crucial role that farmers play in climate action and aims to streamline existing climate support and funding programs for agricultural communities.

The Harmoniya platform will provide a centralised space for farmers, rural communities and villages to access the resources and guidance they need to transition towards sustainable farming practices. By collaborating with financial institutions, the initiative seeks to empower farmers with the tools and support necessary to implement climate-resilient strategies, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable food system.

Kaveh Zahedi, director of the office of climate change, biodiversity and environment at the FAO of the UN, highlighted: “The Harmoniya Initiative acknowledges the fundamental role of farmers as key agents of change and represents an unparalleled opportunity to drive concrete climate solutions through agrifood systems”.

Driving innovation

Climate-smart agriculture and food systems have increasingly taken centre stage at the United Nations’ annual climate summits, driving a surge in global attention and action in recent years. 

Since joining the summit, the Agriculture Innovation Missions for Climate (AIM for Climate), a joint initiative from the US and the UAE, said that investments and partnerships related to climate-smart agriculture and food systems have nearly doubled, surging from $17 billion to $29.2 billion over a 2020 baseline. 

The initiative has accelerated this year with the addition of 52 new Innovation Sprints, bringing the total to 129. An AIM for Climate Innovation Sprint is a self-financed investment commitment by non-government partners aimed at achieving specific outcomes in agricultural innovation and climate-smart food systems within an accelerated timeframe. Focal areas include smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries, methane reduction, emerging technologies and agroecological research.

For farmers, governments and businesses, the road ahead will require continued innovation and dedication to sustainable practices. However, with a collective effort, COP29 has laid the groundwork for a more sustainable future. 

Nine ways COP29 will shape the future of food

COP29 holds significant implications for food manufacturing, as it is a global platform for addressing climate change and establishing frameworks to mitigate its impact.

Here's what it could mean for the industry: 

1. Strengthened commitments to sustainability 

COP29 is likely to push governments and industries to adopt stricter climate targets. For food and beverage manufacturers, this could mean increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chains, especially in agriculture, processing, packaging and logistics. 

2. Focus on regenerative agriculture 

   
   

Sustainable agricultural practices might gain more prominence as nations focus on carbon sequestration and soil health. Manufacturers may need to source ingredients from suppliers that follow regenerative practices or invest in programmes to support these efforts. 

3. Renewable energy adoption 

   
   

A global push for renewable energy could encourage manufacturers to transition their operations away from fossil fuels, investing in solar, wind, water or other clean energy sources for production facilities.

4. Transparency and reporting 

   
   

COP29 may lead to stricter regulations on emissions reporting and environmental impact disclosure. Manufacturers will need to ensure transparency in their practices and align with evolving compliance standards. 

5. Reduction in food waste 

   
   

There could be heightened emphasis on reducing food waste as a way to combat climate change. Manufacturers might face new targets to minimise production waste and contribute to circular economies by repurposing byproducts. 

6. Sustainable packaging innovations 

   
   

If COP29 sets stricter guidelines on plastics and packaging waste, food manufacturers will need to accelerate their adoption of biodegradable, recyclable or reusable packaging solutions. 

7. Support for plant-based and alternative proteins 

Given the environmental footprint of traditional animal farming, COP29 may encourage investment in plant-based foods, lab-grown meat and alternative proteins, pushing food and beverage manufacturers to innovate in this space. 

8. Global collaboration 

The event could foster partnerships between governments, NGOs and private companies, creating opportunities for food manufacturers to collaborate on large-scale sustainability initiatives or access funding for climate-focused projects. 

9. Increased consumer awareness 

As COP29 draws global attention to climate issues, consumers may demand more environmentally friendly products. Brands that can showcase their sustainability credentials will have a competitive advantages. 

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