COP30: Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems to Strengthen Climate-Impacted Communities

On day ten at COP30, agriculture and food systems were at the center of climate discussions, highlighting their critical role in resilience and equity. Conversations focused on restoring degraded land and scaling up food systems in order to support communities that are most vulnerable to climate impacts.

It was a day defined by tangible action, with Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, noting "COP30 has racked up an impressive scorecard of real-world climate actions that will also mean stronger economies, more jobs and better lives for many millions."

Key highlights from the day include:

Restoring Degraded Farmlands

In response to land degradation affecting some 3.2 billion people and 30% of agricultural land worldwide, the new Resilient Agriculture Investment for net-Zero land degradation (RAIZ) accelerator intends to plug a USD 105 billion funding gap as a COP30 legacy effort to promote sustainable agriculture.

The RAIZ is led by Brazil, with backing from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Norway, Peru and the UK. Governments can map degraded land, identify viable restoration projects and build financing tools that can attract private capital.

RAIZ is aimed at mobilizing and coordinating existing global efforts and partnerships such as green Way and Eco Invest, towards sustainable and resilient agriculture by integrating food security, climate, biodiversity, and soil health goals.

Scaling up Low-Carbon Fertilizers

Coined the “COP30 Plan to Accelerate Fertiliser Solutions”, Brazil and the UK announced a joint initiative to speed up the move to low-carbon fertilizers worldwide in order to cut emissions from production and use. The plan responds to warnings that the overuse of fertilizer is causing ecosystem damage and crop losses valued at USD 3.4 trillion annually, while underuse is weaking soil, widening yield gaps and undermining food security.

Backing was received from organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the World Bank and the International Fertilizer Association with the focus on moving beyond pledges to deliver coordinated action across policy, finance and adoption by:

• setting global standards in developing the first international standard for low-emission fertilizers, including lifecycle accounting, to guide policy and investment
• pooling demand and driving early-stage projects by introducing a global buyers alliance and low-emissions ammonia initiative
• tailoring assistance to emerging economies in the form of supply-side support to scale clean ammonia plants powered by renewable energy
• utilizing digital tools and AI on the ground to optimize nutrient use and improve soil health, supported by innovation centers such as Brazil’s Centre of Excellence in Fertilisers and Plant Nutrition

Gender-Focused Climate Governance

Gender was a key focus on day ten, spotlighting women’s leadership in climate action. Brazil launched a Protocol for Women and Girls in Climate Emergencies and Guidelines for Disaster and Climate Emergency Management, embedding gender-responsive approaches into prevention, response, and recovery. Negotiations progressed on the Gender Action Plan, updating the Enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender from COP20. On this agenda point, Brazil’s First Lady Janja Lula da Silva stressed: “The gender issue can no longer be an annex to the decisions made here at COP. Let this be a moment that moves us — a moment that awakens hope, but also responsibility”.

The COP of Implementation

COP30 marked a flagship moment for the Global Climate Action Agenda, showcasing the results of two weeks of collaborative work. At the High-Level Event, leaders celebrated 117 Plans to Accelerate Solutions, demonstrating how COP30 is redefining implementation through multisectoral partnerships and practical delivery. In concrete terms, six times more initiatives reported measurable outcomes compared to the last COP.

Ana Toni, COP30 CEO, affirmed “With the foundations we have built and the shared vision for the next five years, we are ready to move forward with purpose.”

Further reading on COP30

Stay up to date with our daily briefings on COP30 and view all of our content from the last week here: COP30 | Business Topics | Eversheds Sutherland