COP29 side event discusses role of science & innovation in achieving low-emission food systems

By Qabil Ashirov

A side event called "Science and innovation for low-emission and sustainable food systems" was held at the COP29 climate conference.

The event jointly organized by the COP29 Presidency with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is dedicated to Food and Agriculture Day.

CGIAR executive director Ismahane Elouafi said in her speech that today the world is facing two extraordinary challenges and two of the world's most urgent problems, climate change and food security, are closely related. About a third of greenhouse gases come from agriculture, forestry and land use, rising to about 70 percent in low- and middle-income countries. Many of the 500 million smallholder farmers who provide a third of the world's food supply and make up 83 percent of the world's farms live in regions particularly affected by climate change, which puts their lives and livelihoods at risk every day.

The speaker also informed about the scientific research, applied initiatives and innovative approaches carried out by the institution he represents in different regions of the world. It noted that applied innovation could reduce methane emissions by 30 percent, provide a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gases in livestock production, and provide a basis for broader application and policy integration.

Academician Irada Huseynova, the vice-president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, said in her speech that there are problems such as sharp changes in climate, increase in temperature, increase in the number of very hot days, decrease in the water level in rivers, drought, salinization, and intensification of climate-related biotic stress. Drought, land degradation and desertification are serious issues in Azerbaijan.

It was reported that relevant scientific institutes of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences focus on ensuring food and ecological balance and contributing to the application of modern approaches in agriculture. In this regard, research on the restoration, protection and efficient use of biodiversity, land and water resources through scientific and innovative approaches, as well as the work done in the field of creating electronic database maps were discussed, as well as the application of innovative means such as automation to artificial intelligence in agriculture.

Academician I. Huseynova said that the relations established with international centers, research institutes, including CGIAR, gave a great impetus to the research of agro-food systems in Azerbaijan and created the ground for more progress in this field.

Silvia Massruha, president of the Brazilian Agrarian Research Society, spoke about her country's experience in applying scientific and innovative approaches, and talked about the development of sustainable production systems that include the integration of crop production, animal husbandry and forestry. It was noted that Brazil faces challenges in the areas of food security, nutrition, ecosystem services and climate change, and 77 percent of farmers are small or medium enterprises. Government policies implemented since 1996 serve to reduce climate risks and promote the bioeconomy, as well as increase agricultural productivity and sustainability through climate adaptation and mitigation, digitization and automation, and the use of new technologies.

Japanese Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Kubota Osamu pointed out that his country is taking active measures to build low-emission and sustainable food systems through science and innovation. It was reported that in 2021, Japan adopted a "Green Middle East Strategy" aimed at creating sustainable food systems, and this strategy focuses on climate-friendly agricultural technologies capable of accelerating innovation and increasing both productivity and sustainability.

Other speeches emphasized the importance of scientific and innovative approaches to cooperation in improving food systems, knowledge sharing, and supporting investments that will ensure climate-smart food systems. It was noted that it is important that collective action, scientific innovation and strategic cooperation seek solutions to ensure the future of agricultural and food systems. Because food production, processing, transportation, trade, storage and consumption should be at the center of efforts in the fight against climate change. Without significant transformation in these areas, the world cannot achieve either the climate or the Sustainable Development Goals, as agriculture plays an important role in both emissions reduction and decarbonisation.