Summary of “Excluding Food Systems From Climate Deal Is a Recipe for Disaster”
This article from Inter press Service, published January 9, 2026, highlights the critical underfunding of agricultural solutions within global climate finance and the risk of this issue being sidelined at upcoming COP conferences.
Key takeaways:
* Insufficient Funding: Despite food systems contributing roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions,they receive only around USD 35 billion annually in climate finance – a tiny fraction of the USD 1.3 trillion total. Smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of food in developing countries, receive a mere 0.3% of this funding.
* COP30 & COP31 Concerns: While COP30 acknowledged the need to address food systems, ther’s concern that COP31 (hosted by Turkey, with Australia as president) will prioritize other areas (adaptation finance, fossil fuel phase-out, etc.) and indirectly address food systems rather than championing them explicitly.
* Need for Political Pressure: Experts like Raj Patel argue that relying solely on diplomatic negotiations is insufficient. Real change requires pressure from farmers’ movements, indigenous groups, and climate activists to force governments to confront corporate power.
* Future Opportunities: COP32,under ethiopia’s presidency,may offer a better chance for implementing sustainable food systems due to Ethiopia’s direct experience with climate risks in agriculture.
* Stalled Negotiations: Negotiations on financing sustainable agriculture transitions and the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture are currently stalled, suggesting COP31 will focus on roadmaps rather than implementation.
in essence, the article warns that neglecting food systems in climate action is a risky oversight and that proactive, politically driven change is needed to ensure sustainable and equitable solutions.