A bold move to tackle climate change has been unveiled at COP30, with ministers from around the world joining forces to combat harmful emissions from agriculture. This initiative, known as FIRST (Farmers' Initiative for Resilient and Sustainable Transformations), aims to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions, two major contributors to global warming. But here's the controversial part: can we really address climate change without considering the role of agriculture?
FIRST, launched alongside the Belém Declaration on Fertilisers, is a South-South collaboration, bringing together countries from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. By sharing practical and low-cost solutions, this initiative empowers farmers to take center stage in the fight against climate change. It's an approach that focuses on the benefits for farmers, boosting their yields, improving soil and animal health, and reducing input costs, all while cutting emissions.
The timing couldn't be more crucial. Recent findings from the 2024 Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment warn that without immediate action, keeping global warming below 1.5 °C is an impossible task. But there's hope, as the report also highlights clear pathways to reduce emissions by over 40% using existing measures.
Brazil and the United Kingdom, co-leaders of this initiative, have also issued a Call to Action on Fertilisers. This call urges enhanced nutrient use efficiency and reduced emissions from fertilizer production, recognizing it as a key strategy for achieving climate goals, protecting nature, and ensuring food security for all.
"The Declaration showcases how we can reduce harmful emissions and support farmers in adopting nature-positive practices," said Mary Creagh, UK Minister for Nature. "By co-leading these efforts and co-chairing the CCAC with Brazil, we're turning scientific insights into practical solutions that benefit both people and nature."
The Call to Action invites the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to coordinate international efforts, including Brazil's Centre of Excellence in Fertilisers and Plant Nutrition, to reduce emissions across the fertilizer value chain. This coordination aims to drive collaboration and monitor progress, ensuring coherence across initiatives.
"At COP30 in Belém, we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate that agriculture can lead the way in climate action," said Bruno Brasil, Director of Sustainable Production at Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. "The Call to Action on Fertilisers and FIRST put farmers at the forefront, enhancing resilience and productivity while mitigating emissions. We urge all partners to join us in scaling these solutions globally."
These initiatives are further supported by the CCAC Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP), which identifies cost-effective and scalable solutions to reduce super pollutant emissions. Recent reports highlight digital services for livestock, rice, and black soldier flies, as well as bio covers in the waste sector, as immediate funding priorities for the private sector and philanthropies.
"Sustainable agrifood systems offer a wide range of benefits for climate, biodiversity, land, and food security," said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of FAO's Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Environment. "But to achieve lasting impact, farmers must be at the helm. Initiatives like FIRST and the FAST Partnership complement each other, catalyzing finance and empowering farmers to lead the transformation towards resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems. FAO, building on its collaboration with the CCAC, welcomes the FIRST initiative and remains committed to supporting countries in scaling up climate and clean air actions through agrifood systems."
Super pollutant action is our last resort to combat climate change, offering a pathway to avoid up to 0.6 °C of global warming by mid-century.
"The strength of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition lies in its partnership approach and solution pipelines, translating science into policy and providing practical tools for farmers," said Martina Otto, Head of the CCAC Secretariat at the UN Environment Programme. "With FIRST, we can accelerate methane and nitrous oxide mitigation on the ground, and COP30 is the perfect moment to scale up these successful initiatives."
For more information and to get involved, contact Vincent Hughes or Ava Bahrami at the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat.
