Britt Groosman’s Post

At COP29, world leaders are focusing on climate finance. This is a crucial opportunity to ensure farmers get the right support to transition to agriculture practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience.   Less than 5% of climate finance currently reaches food and agriculture, even though the sector contributes one-third of global emissions and is on the front lines of climate impacts. We need better, more accessible and impactful financing to help farmers reduce emissions, boost resilience and keep us all fed on a changing planet.   High-quality climate finance means: 💸Accessible funds for farmers when they need them. 🚜Targeted investments that drive real climate action. 📢Concessional terms to avoid putting farmers and countries into unsustainable debt.   Let’s push for climate finance that supports farmers around the world and secures a sustainable food future. Read my Environmental Defense Fund colleague Jennifer Chow's new blog: https://www.edf.org/Z6Ea #COP29 #ClimateFinance #ActiononFood

Unlocking Climate Finance for Agriculture at COP29: A Call for Action As we gather insights from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, it’s clear that the agricultural sector is at a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change. With over 2.5 billion people relying on agriculture, the need for targeted climate finance has never been more urgent. Here are some key takeaways and strategies discussed at COP29 that can enhance climate finance for agriculture: Focus on Smallholder Farmers: Ministers of agriculture from Latin America and the Caribbean emphasized the need for developed countries to provide financing specifically aimed at smallholder farmers. This support is crucial to boost food security and adapt to increasingly severe climate impacts. Leveraging the Loss and Damage Fund: The operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund presents a unique opportunity to channel resources directly to those most affected by climate change. Targeting smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries can help them access improved seeds, training, and climate-resilient technologies. Data-Driven Approaches: Implementing robust data collection and analysis can guide the effective allocation of climate finance. By understanding local vulnerabilities and agricultural needs, stakeholders can ensure that funding reaches those who most need it. Integration into National Climate Strategies: It is essential to incorporate agriculture into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This integration ensures that farmers’ voices are heard and their unique challenges are addressed in climate policies. Collaboration Across Sectors: The importance of collaboration among various stakeholders—governments, NGOs, and private sectors—was highlighted as a means to enhance the effectiveness of financial flows in agriculture. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we prioritize agriculture in our climate strategies and recognize its role in achieving global climate goals. The discussions at COP29 have set the stage for a more inclusive approach to climate finance that empowers farmers and strengthens food systems. For more insights on this topic, check out these resources: https://lnkd.in/dyvAmwxH https://lnkd.in/dZXkQp2V https://lnkd.in/d85dbDPF Let’s champion these initiatives and ensure that agriculture is not sidelined but embraced as a vital part of our collective response to the climate crisis! #COP29 #ClimateFinance #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #ClimateAction #Abutispinach

As highlighted in our recent article (visit our page), Sub-Saharan African farmers urgently need attention and technology-based solutions tailored to their specific context, not imported ones. Poor climate financing is a clear sign that it is up to us, as Sub-Saharan Africans, to push for solutions that benefit us. We cannot wait for international gatherings that often overlook our interests. #ClimateFinance #SmallholderFarmers #Agritech #SustainableFarming #SubSaharanAfrica #LocalSolutions #IKIRARO #Agriculture

Check out the linked Forbes article, which articulates the many ways in which smallholder farmers (who have contributed the least and are arguably suffering the most from climate change) are being left behind in the climate financing conversation. Grateful for our many partners who are helping One Acre Fund to change this narrative; especially our incredible partners in restoration at Bezos Earth Fund and WRI (Emily Averna, Sean DeWitt, Will Anderson, Uzamukunda Assumpta).

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝟮𝟵 🌍 At #COP29, a side event on resilient futures for smallholder farmers will address a recurring challenge which is the disconnect between financing needs and smallholder farmers. While financiers look for large-scale investments with clear business cases, smallholder farmers, responsible for a significant share of the world’s food supply and biodiversity, particularly in LMICs, often lack the assets and turnover required to access these funds for climate adaptation. The discussion will include: 🌱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 for smallholder farmers. 🔍 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗽, featuring insights from financing institutions, civil society, farmer organisations, and researchers. 💡 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗽, supporting smallholder farmers on their path to climate resilience. This session will bring together a panel of diverse stakeholders including SNV, foster dialogue, and work towards actionable solutions to make climate finance more accessible for those who need it most. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/djEthw9F   #COP29 #FoodSystems #ClimateFinance  

At #COP29 this week, global leaders gathered to address the critical funding gaps for agrifood systems in fragile countries—a lifeline for communities on the frontlines of climate change. In this article, IISD captures this essential dialogue, highlighting the need for climate finance to strengthen food security and build resilience. Our senior director, Michelle Kagari, represented our commitment to smallholder farmers in discussions hosted by Green Climate Fund and FAO, sharing our approach to empowering farmers through sustainable practices like agroforestry and soil health initiatives. By equipping farmers to thrive amidst climate challenges, we strive to drive impactful change, but scaling these efforts requires robust financial support for agriculture. As the outcomes of COP29 unfold, let’s continue advocating for policies and funding that prioritize agrifood systems in vulnerable regions, underscoring the resilience and potential of smallholder farmers to lead sustainable solutions.

Fulcrum Commentary by Elyssa Kaur Ludher and Paul Teng - Following the letdown of COP29, ASEAN needs to step up and lead the way in controlling emissions from Southeast Asia’s agri-food system. https://lnkd.in/g5g2eZtt #Climatechange #Agriculture #Southeastasia

The agri-food sector is at the heart of combating climate change and ensuring global food security. Yet, the current level of global climate finance for agriculture is far from adequate. As highlighted below, to meet the challenges of climate resilience and emissions reduction in line with the Paris Agreement, we need to multiply the financing dedicated to this sector by a factor of 40. #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateFinance #Agrifood

Ahead of #COP29, I shared my thoughts on what Africa, and by extension, the Global South, must prioritise in upcoming climate negotiations. Drawing from the "documented lived experience" (a phrase I must attribute to the genius of Dr Joseph Mante) in Nigeria's Sankera region of Benue State, I make a case for establishing a dedicated Agriculture and Food Security Fund within the climate finance framework. Our farmers have long employed agroecological practices that work in harmony with natural ecosystems. Indeed, as it is often said, solving the climate crisis is intrinsically linked to solving the biodiversity crisis - a healthy ecosystem does more for climate stability than any artificial carbon reduction measure. These traditional methods, refined over generations, offer invaluable insights for climate-resilient agriculture. However, without proper financial backing, this potential remains largely untapped. The proposed fund would serve multiple critical functions: scaling climate-smart farming techniques, improving market access for smallholder farmers, and strengthening local food systems. This isn't merely about agriculture – it's about building resilient communities and preserving traditional knowledge while adapting to climate challenges. As we approach COP29, dubbed the '#FinanceCOP,' we have a unique opportunity to reshape the narrative around climate finance. The time has come to recognise agriculture's central role in climate resilience and food security.

This piece is both timely and essential. Kamo Sende rightly advocates for dedicated climate finance for agroecology and smallholder farmers within the global climate framework. My work frequently assesses how global finance and governance frameworks impact afro-communities particularly in light of their current and historical challenges. Climate change is the most urgent collective threat of our time, today. If not properly managed, we risk enormous damage on a scale we cannot even begin to comprehend. However, effective solutions are anything but generic. They are not wholesale. Africa’s path to climate adaptation, mitigation, and even a just energy transition requires strategies deeply rooted in localized contexts—strategies that reflect the unique socio-economic and environmental landscape of the continent. For us Africans, climate resilience is inextricably linked to food security. Declining quality of life across the continent, no doubt exacerbated by market-driven approaches pushed by international financial institutions, emphasize the urgency of a different approach. If we have any chance to preserve human dignity while addressing the escalating impacts of climate change, negotiators in climate finance must prioritize smallholder farmers in Africa as central actors in climate solutions. These farmers are climate stewards who can drive agroecological methods that are sustainable, equitable, and tailored to the continent’s needs. Thank you, Kamo, for amplifying this critical perspective. May our calls for a responsive, inclusive climate finance framework resonate where it matters most.