1. November, 12th: Delivered by Althea Collier from [Earth] implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security.

I speak on behalf of the whole of ENGO, YOUNGO, the Climate Action Network and the  Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice 

We express strong concern over the promotion of the Agrizone in this room. It is nothing more than a business fair promoting so-called “solutions” that only preserve the status quo instead of driving the deep transformation that we need to address the multiple crises that we face. Sponsored by some of the biggest polluters, the Agrizone undermines the call for a just transition towards agroecology and a rethinking of the way we produce and consume food.

This initiative contradicts the discussions held during the workshops at SB62, where Parties and observers emphasized holistic approaches rooted in the meaningful participation of women, children and youth, Indigenous Peoples, and smallholders., 

We also caution against the conversations and initiatives taking place outside the UNFCCC, which threaten the integrity of this process. We must uphold multilateralism and transparency, not sideline them. If informal negotiations are to happen behind this venue, we, observers, representing global movements for climate justice, won´t have a say in our future. 

We are also deeply concerned about the emergence of carbon markets in the drafts. While we appreciate efforts to repurpose environmentally harmful agricultural subsidies, these funds must be redirected to finance a just transition towards agroecology, including social protection, safety nets, and upskilling for workers, women and smallholders rather than to finance false solutions such undefined climate smart agriculture and MRV.  Carbon markets in agriculture won´t deliver long-lasting solutions as pastures and crops have a short life cycle.

Agroecology is a proven solution that is equitable, humane, and sustainable and has been acknowledged and mentioned numerous times during the workshop. Seeing this new text seems that all the progress made at SB62 has been erased. Meanwhile, countries like the Philippines are being swept, not only by typhoons, but by super typhoons, one after another, a stark reminder that we cannot afford more false solutions. It is time to invest in people, animals and ecosystems, not in polluters.

 And it is time to commit to a just transition towards equitable, humane and agroecological food systems grounded in justice, participation, and real climate action.

2. Undelivered:

As the only formal space within the UNFCCC that is mandated to guide global climate action on food and agriculture, it is your responsibility to act on the sector that causes a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. That said, we are expressing our deep disappointment that this Joint Work is going farther and farther away from a Just Transition in food systems. 

The latest text jumbles real, effective, agroecological and rights-based solutions to the food and climate crises with harmful, profit-driven initiatives like climate-smart and precision agriculture, and artificial intelligence. It also asserts that food systems must be market-based, funded by private investments, and argues for the use of carbon markets. The AgriZone was even presented as a resource center for “real solutions”, solutions put forward by Big Agriculture to protect their business model and profits! Let us be clear – we, rights-based constituencies, connected to social movements, representing millions of vulnerable people who cannot be in this room – REJECT all this.

We’re not sure what world you are living in, because this room is acting like the climate crisis is not already upon us. You’re moving to end negotiations today, in the first week of COP. You have laid your position bare. With planetary limits crossed, slow-onset impacts severely reducing crop productivity, typhoons and droughts eviscerating staple foods – your inaction in this room is condemning BILLIONS in the Global South to hunger, homelessness, and eventually – death. 

As movements representing frontline communities experiencing the brunt of the food and climate crises, we urge you to prove to us that you are living in the same burning world. Work with us to ensure a Just Transition towards equitable, humane and agroecological food systems that protect people, animals and our planet whilst guaranteeing food security and sovereignty. Scale up and immediately provide climate finance directly to smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and frontline communities not corporations. Divert all harmful agricultural subsidies away from industrial agribusiness and towards equitable, humane and agroecological, community-led solutions. And free UNFCCC processes from corporate capture by agribusiness interests through a strong accountability framework.

The conversations you are having here are not simple talk shops. Every second you waste on false solutions is a step closer to the extinction of communities in the Global South – to OUR extinction. 

It’s time to ring all the alarms to ENSURE that this Joint Work completes what it has been mandated to do – the implementation of climate action, and upholding human rights, for a just world where Indigenous Peoples, small producers, women, and all vulnerable communities thrive.