Main news content: The upcoming COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025, is set to elevate agriculture to a critical front in the global climate change agenda. With the sector currently responsible for 22% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, its potential to transition from a major contributor to a fundamental solution is gaining significant traction. Experts, like Syngenta Group’s Chief Sustainability Officer Petra Laux, stress that the imperative is to “make every existing agricultural acre count” rather than expanding into new land, which would drastically increase emissions. Given that nearly 40% of the Earth’s landmass is already used for food production, technology and innovation are seen as the only viable path to close the productivity gap and feed an anticipated population of up to 10 billion by 2050.
The discussion will center on five pivotal solutions aimed at making agriculture part of the climate solution. These include: revitalizing degraded soil through innovative restoration techniques; developing climate-resilient crop varieties that require less water and resist pests naturally; and boosting productivity using increasingly nature-based products, such as biologicals. Furthermore, scaling precision agriculture—applying crop protection products selectively and only where needed—is considered essential to safeguard harvests while minimizing environmental impact.
The final core strategy involves promoting regenerative practices, such as the use of cover crops, minimal tillage, and organic matter management, to enhance soil health and increase carbon sequestration. These innovations are crucial, as a Deloitte study indicates that accelerated technology and productivity improvements must account for 50% of the required improvements in food supply, underscoring the vital role agriculture will play at COP30 and in global food security moving forward.
