One Acre Fund’s Post

What do fair climate solutions look like on a local level? For MEDA, it means direct payments to smallholder farmers who incorporate carbon-capturing processes into their harvests around the world. From Western Africa to the Philippines, we’ve seen the impacts up close: https://ow.ly/OzxZ50Uc8mE As world leaders meet at COP29 in Azerbaijan, these are powerful examples of how international climate finance can change lives and help draw down greenhouse gas levels. #ClimateAction #Agriculture #Sustainability #MEDAImpact #COP29

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.

Exactly a year since she passed, what would Professor Falkenmark say today? Her quote, "Water is the bloodstream of the biosphere" remains more accurate than ever. As we solemnly mark the first anniversary of passing of the pioneering Swedish hydrologist on Dec 3, the urgency of her contribution to the ongoing discourse on water security, especially following COP29, is deeply felt. At #COP29 in Baku, water security emerged as a central theme in discussions about climate resilience. Falkenmark's research and insights offer invaluable guidance on the challenges discussed. 1.    There was a noted emphasis on the importance of climate-resilient water systems, with efforts for water-centric adaptation strategies & water management to ensure readiness for extreme weather like droughts and floods. 🌊 ·      One of the solutions noted by Malin was the recognition and conservation of green water (soil moisture, evaporation, and transpiration). The mainstream focus on freshwater resources in rivers was, in Falkenmark's words, 'blind' to the fact that the vast majority of the world's cropland and food production (as well as the terrestrial ecosystems) rely on green water. To ensure climate readiness, we must augment the strength of green water through rainwater harvesting in agriculture and holistic integrated land–water management. 2.    The delegates at COP20 also got into a global framework for climate-resilient WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) systems. This will guide countries in setting actionable targets post-2030 to ensure sustainable water and sanitation access amid climate challenges. 🚰 ·      The Falkenmark Index provides an enlightening nugget to this emphasis. She dedicated her life to the role of water in human development, particularly regional differences in hydro-climatic predicaments and what this means for food security and human well-being. She combined national data on freshwater resources with socio-economic data and population numbers, to prove that water-scarce countries are predominantly among the world's most vulnerable and poor. Population growth without development pushes them further into absolute water scarcity as more people have to share each water unit. 3.    Finally, the resounding call for cross-sectoral collaboration between the water, energy, and agriculture sectors was hailed as a mighty solution. The vital role of integrated water management and cross-disciplinary approaches in addressing interconnected climate and water issues was underscored. 🤝 ·      👉Malin's lifelong passion was eradicating water poverty worldwide; for this, she emphasised hydrological evidence and interdisciplinary collaboration. Reflecting on COP29 and Malin Falkenmark's legacy, her wisdom reminds us that ensuring water security is a technical challenge and a profound moral imperative we must all uphold. #COP29 #WaterSecurity #MalinFalkenmark Image credit-Internet

Our main event at #cop29 is on Thursday 14th 11.30am at the Action On Food hub with One Acre Fund's very own rockstar Michelle Kagari, as well as Environmental Defense Fund Europe, SDG2 Advocacy Hub, and panelists from Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) Neil Watkins. They will spotlight a big glaring missed (frequently, at every COP) agenda topic despite Baku being the "climate finance cop" - the climate finance gap (both quality and quantity) for >510 million smallholder farmers to build climate resilience. Please join us if you're here. And if not stay posted for more details! More context below   Currently, of the estimated $153 billion needed each year to support the world's 511 million smallholders, only $2 billion is reaching them. This $151 billion gap isn't just a financial figure; it's a barrier to realising transformative potential in sustainable agriculture, yielding $403 billion in benefits through:   🌽 Higher yields 💰 Increased revenue 🧬 Improvements in soil health 🏥 Healthier families 🌳 Lasting ecological and economic resilience through agroforestry   We are calling on leaders at COP29 to close this gap by rethinking how climate finance can reach smallholders. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e6tPcCTg

Recap of my #worldsoilday here at UNCCD #COP16: I was honoured to start the day by delivering opening remarks on behalf of both the Action On Food hub and One Acre Fund at the CGIAR pavilion for the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health (CA4SH) event about why soil health is foundational to the 3 Rio conventions (biodiversity, climate and desertification), how the Action on Food Hub community is making progress for food systems partnership based action across all conventions, and what this means for smallholder farmers writ large (and the significant gaps in big global promises vs delivery). With The Nature Conservancy at their event “The role of soil health in multifunctional landscapes and climate change” we discussed the challenges in context specific actions to improve soil health across whole landscapes and why climate change really threatens progress on so many levels - including geopolitical/cultural. This then linked to positive discussions with the Ambition Loop on the policy and finance linkages we could accelerate for COP30. Then back to the CA4SH team with IUCN for Leigh Winowiecki’s inspirational drive for soil health integration in food security discussions across conservation, private sector, and farmer organisations. She gave me free reign to highlight 1AF's climate finance campaign for smallholder farmers highlighting both the solutions and the costs associated with driving soil health improvements at scale. https://lnkd.in/e6tPcCTg Finally I wrapped up the day with The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) and Dr. Conrad Rein for the launch of their flagship food security initiative helmed by the Innovation Commission, via the humble but brilliant Michael Kremer, who is driving for evidence based action on soil health + food security solutions at scale with funders and governments alike. I am not a soil scientist and learnt a lot about how critical healthy soils really are for us all, and agreed with many today who said that the UNCCD convention should focus on all forms of land degradation, not just desertification. Most of the information I shared with this audience has been copy and pasted from the 1AF giants upon whose shoulders I stand and who are doing the real work: Margaret Vernon Stephen Aston Hepsiba Chepngeno Conde Lysa Uwizeyimana Patrick Bell Claire Brosnihan Caitlin Shaw Luke Viljoen, James Ellison and many others.

The world pours $7 trillion annually into nature-negative industries like construction, oil, and real estate, while nature-based solutions—critical for addressing climate change and biodiversity loss—receive a fraction of that at just $200 billion 🌍💸. This disparity, outlined in the latest UN Environment Programme report, highlights the urgent need to redirect finance away from nature-harming activities and towards nature-positive investments 🌳. Forests, wetlands, and rural communities are bearing the brunt of our misaligned capital flows. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By repurposing even a fraction of the nature-negative finance and scaling nature-based solutions, we can create a massive ripple effect: restoring ecosystems, reducing emissions, and improving local livelihoods 🏞️💪. The opportunity? A necessary shift from the current annual investment of $200 billion to $542 billion by 2030 to meet climate, biodiversity, and land restoration targets 🌱. Private finance must step up—currently contributing just $35 billion annually—and increase its share from 18% to 33% by 2050. This isn’t just an environmental imperative; it’s a smart financial play 🎯. From restoring degraded land to sequestering carbon and producing sustainable food, nature-based solutions offer cost-effective, scalable investments with tangible returns. As global leaders gather at COP29 and Climate Week NYC, the financial sector must rally behind these solutions 🌐. It’s time for investors, companies, and governments to re-align capital with nature. The data is clear: business as usual pushes us toward planetary boundaries. Nature-based solutions, on the other hand, offer a path to long-term resilience and profitability 🌾. Now is the moment to flip the script on global finance flows and give nature the funding it deserves. #ClimateFinance #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableInvesting #GreenEconomy #ImpactInvesting #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #ESG #SustainableDevelopment #COP29 #NaturePositive #InvestInNature #FinancialInnovation 🌍🌱💰

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

Thanks to Project Syndicate for providing a space to Barron Joseph Orr and me to reflect on the critical role that #soilhealth innovations and #landrestoration plans play in mitigating #climatechange and achieving healthy diets in #Africa 🌍 and beyond. Land restoration is not just an environmental necessity; it's a vital component of sustainable development, food security, and climate resilience. As we approach #COP16 in Saudi Arabia, the urgency to accelerate actions on land restoration has never been clearer. But #innovation alone is not enough. We need to work with policymakers to promote soil health initiatives and integrate them into broader national climate commitments such as #NAPs and #NDCs and to set up the right incentives to enable #farmers to shift towards more suistainable practices that restore our land while ensuring #foodsecurity and economic growth. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT | UN Convention to Combat Desertification

Greetings from 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶. I’m tracking developments in Azerbaijan, the world’s second-largest exporter of persimmons—a fruit that, curiously, Ayenat confesses remains uncharted territory for her palate. The persimmons are said to be soft and zingy—an apt metaphor for the unfolding dynamics at the COP29 United Nations climate conference. Soft, as delegates tiptoe around specifics, with concrete figures on the new global climate finance target still elusive. And zingy, as the stark divide between ambitious demands and the commitments on the table sharpens the tension in the room. The numbers on the table paint a vivid picture. Lower-income countries call for $1.3 trillion a year, while groups like the World Wildlife Fund say $1 trillion might be the sweet spot. Meanwhile, European countries appear to be floating figures in the range of $200 billion to $300 billion — a figure that feels like a whisper compared to the roar of what’s needed. Lower-income countries insist that a large chunk of this funding should go toward helping communities adapt to the changing climate. At the heart of this are farmers especially smallholders who grow up to 80% of the food in regions like Africa and Asia but see barely a trickle of climate finance despite shouldering the burden of feeding millions. That sentiment echoed loudly during Tuesday’s Food, Agriculture & Water Day at COP29. For the second consecutive year, food systems have taken center stage at the conference, a clear sign that they are now cemented as a critical pillar in the global climate discourse. The next hurdle is making sure farmers' voices are genuinely heard. “Farmers shouldn’t be mere observers — they must be co-designers of the policies and actions that will affect their families, their livelihoods, and their communities,” Andrea Porro, Secretary-General of the World Farmers’ Organisation, emphasizes to Ayenat. With farmers bearing the brunt of climate change, the organization is pushing for them to be at the heart of loss and damage talks. This means involving them in the governance of the loss and damage fund created in 2022, Porro explains. While the fund officially took its first steps last week with agreements to start receiving contributions, real progress at COP29 has been slow. As always, the true test will be 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱. Countries are also focused on finalizing their updated climate action plans, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs), set to be released in early 2025. The key question will be how effectively food systems are integrated into these plans—and that’s something we’ll be closely watching.