Article originally published 11 November, updated 22 November 2024
Australia demonstrated our commitment to climate action in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 – 22 November 2024.
Globally, the impact of climate change on agriculture is affecting food security.
Australian producers and land managers are responding to a changing climate by innovating, adapting, improving resilience and investing to lower emissions. They are adopting climate-smart, sustainable practices that:
- help make farming more productive and profitable
- better protect Australia’s environment
- help support access to international markets
- strengthen farming communities
- contribute to global food security
Agriculture has an important role to play in reaching Australia’s net zero goals – both as a sector creating emissions, but also as a potential source of carbon sequestration through management of large areas of land.
The Australian Government is committed to supporting and partnering with farmers to ensure more climate-smart and efficient emission-reduction practices can be integrated into core agricultural practices whilst maintaining productivity and profitability.
Australia welcomes the COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan, on the launching of the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29.
DAFF at COP29
Our attendance at COP29 provided an opportunity to share our experiences internationally, build capacity in our region and develop partnerships to support Australian farmers.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to climate-smart sustainable agriculture. The conference provided Australia with an opportunity to encourage practices that are tailored to the ecological, cultural and economic conditions of each country.
We showcased Australian agriculture and fisheries climate-smart innovation in the Australian Pavilion and beyond.
The COP29 Food, Agriculture and Water Day occurred on 19 November where we hosted two events in the Australia Pavilion. We also marked World Fisheries Day on 21 November by hosting a networking event in the Pacific’s Moana Pavilion.
You can watch all the events on the DCCEEW YouTube channel.
Panel events
Managing soil is critical for the sustainability of agriculture and food production and in supporting the sector to respond to climate change.
This international panel discussed action and investment to support soil health and security and explored the relationship between soil and equitable climate action.
This panel took place on Food Agriculture and Water Day, 19 November at COP29.
Facilitator
- Ms Su McCluskey, Special Representative for Australian Agriculture
Participants
- Dr Bruno Brasil, Director of Sustainable Production and Irrigation – Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Brazil
- Mr Seisuke Inoue, Director, International Research Collaboration Division – Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
- Ms Sophie Beecher, Director General Sustainable Development Policy Directorate – Agriculture and Agri-food, Canada
- Dr Jen Taylor, Agriculture and Food Director – CSIRO, Australia
Photo credit: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Climate change has increased the incidence and severity of natural hazards globally placing pressure on productivity, farm performance and landscape health.
This panel explored initiatives underway and the drivers supporting farmers to become more resilient, adapt to extreme weather events and adopt practices at scale.
This panel took place on Food Agriculture and Water Day, 19 November at COP29.
Facilitator
- Mr Jean-Bernard Carrasco, Assistant Secretary Climate Resilience and Finance – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia
Opening presenter
- Ms Sylvie Wabbes, Agronomist and Resilience Advisor – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Participants
- Dr Tekini Nakidakida, Deputy Secretary – Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Fiji
- Ms Kauanga Rimai, Agricultural Officer – Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development, Kiribati
- Mr Terry Atalifo, ClimSA Coordinator – Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
- Dr Chris Chilcott, Environment Deputy Director – CSIRO, Australia
Guest speaker
- Esther Lodu, Senior Field Staff - Kastom Gaden Association, Solomon Islands
Photo credit: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Oceans play an important role in culture and way of life in the Pacific region, supporting valuable marine industries including commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, renewable energy, shipping and more.
This casual networking event provided an opportunity for technical experts from the Pacific region and beyond to share work underway on sustainable and climate smart fisheries.
This event took place on World Fisheries Day 21 November, which coincided with the Oceans and Coastal Zones day at COP29.
Speakers
- The Hon Mona Ainu’u, Minister for Natural Resources, Niue
- Mr Tony Mahar, CEO National Farmers Federation, Australia
- Ms Lala Gutchen, Meuram woman, Erub Island, Torres Strait, Australia
Videos
The Australian Government is supporting and partnering with farmers to ensure more climate-smart and efficient emission-reduction practices can be integrated into core agriculture practices whilst maintaining productivity and profitability. These videos produced for COP29 detail how different sectors are responding to a changing climate. Each video highlights the diversity of Australia’s agricultural landscape and the wide range of innovative research and development activities undertaken across the agriculture sector.
