The annual UN Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties, or ‘COP’ provides an opportunity for governments to meet annually, discuss progress and negotiate actions to address the climate crisis. COP29 took place from 11 to 22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Members of our International Affairs team were at COP29 to highlight the urgent need for humane, sustainable and equitable animal agriculture, climate friendly and resilient food systems transformation, and ways we can tackle the overconsumption of animal sourced foods in high consuming populations.

During the two-week conference, the team hosted and spoke at events, networked with governments, partners and other key stakeholders, and explored opportunities to promote the need for action. We followed negotiations relating to agriculture and food security, and supported governments in their efforts to strengthen ambition on the role agriculture can play in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

There is a growing understanding of the role that food systems – including overconsumption of meat and dairy in many high-income countries – play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

For the third consecutive year, the COP presidency of the hosting country acknowledged food and agriculture as key issues in addressing climate change, with 19 November dedicated to Food, Water and Agriculture at COP29.

Partnering with the Government of Pakistan on sustainable nitrogen management

On 20 November, together with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Coordination of the Government of Pakistan, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM), International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) and other partners we co-hosted and spoke at an event called Sustainable nitrogen management: Collaborative solutions for Climate Action, Environment and Food Security.

Held at the Pakistan pavilion, the event explored the urgent need to optimise nitrogen use in agriculture to tackle climate change, reduce and reverse environmental damage whilst ensuring food security.

Our Global Head of International Affairs, Eirini Pitsilidi was one of the speakers alongside:

• Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam (co-ordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change)
• Mr. Matsuzawa Yutaka (Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Government of Japan
• Mr. Cristian Beseni (Secretary of State, Ministry for Environment, Waters and Forests, Government of Romania)
• Mr. Bruno Pozzi (Deputy Director of the Ecosystems Division, UNEP)
• Professor Mark Sutton (Director, INMS /South Asia Nitrogen Hub and Co-Chair of UNEP-GPNM)
• Dr Tariq Aziz (Regional Director for South Asia International Nitrogen Initiative, Associate Professor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad)

She spoke of the urgent need for immediate, tangible changes to achieve more efficient nitrogen use, including indirect changes such as behavioural shifts related to our diets, especially in populations where we know we overconsume animal-sourced foods. She welcomed the collaborative approach that participants at the event were promoting, calling on governments, academics, the private sector, farmers, and other stakeholders to participate in the dialogue.

She concluded: “By working collectively, we can best advance and coordinate sustainable nitrogen management in global policy instruments”.

Action on Food Hub

In Baku, we were part of the COP29 Action on Food Hub, joining organisations including ProVeg International, Future Economy Forum and EIT Food.

The Hub provided a space for dialogue and collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders from across the entire food system, as well as for actively elevating the voice of marginalised communities, which are so often the most vulnerable to climate change. On 16 November, together with the Changing Markets Foundation, Four Paws, Mercy for Animals, ProVeg International, and World Animal Protection we co-hosted a day devoted to Just Transition at the Action on Food Hub.

Side events focus on agriculture and climate

Together with animal welfare NGO Four Paws, on 16 November we organised a side event, Climate and animal agriculture: The soil health, nature-positive farming and consumption nexus. Speakers explored how sustainable animal protein consumption patterns, coupled with a shift to traditional, nature-positive farming practices can have the potential to improve soil health, which is fundamental to address climate change.

Later that day, we co-hosted a roundtable, Creating a vision for food system transformation – how do we get there? Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl (Vegetarian Society of Denmark) and Thayana Oliveira (food systems transformation specialist from Brazil) presented case studies, collectively showing what is possible when it comes to dietary shifts and reducing overreliance on animal protein in two very different contexts.

On 18 November, we co-organised an official UNFCCC side event, with partners including ProVeg International and Brighter Green, called From Field to Plate: Aligning food systems with climate and biodiversity goals. The event took the form of a ‘fireside’ chat, with speakers including Rachel Atcheson (Deputy Director of the NYC Mayor's Office of Food Policy), and Dr Freddie Kabango (Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture) who explored the tangible and practical paths for global food systems transformation through policy in order to meet climate, nature and biodiversity goals.

Read more about how industrial agriculture is driving the climate crisis.