At the end of 2024, the three Rio Conventions – on climate change, biodiversity and desertification – held their Conferences of the Parties.
In connection with this agenda, the CAR, in collaboration with the NGOs Humundi and Iles de Paix, published a summary note in September 2024 on the consideration of agroecology within the three Rio Conventions, with a view to informing the advocacy of civil society organisations attending the COPs. The preparation of this note was supported by the MINKA International network.
Early in 2025, the Agroecology Coalition went one step further by producing a review of the recognition of agroecology during the three COPs (COP16 Biodiversity, COP29 Climate, COP16 Desertification). CARI contributed to the writing of this new policy brief, with reference to the 2024 summary note.
The new policy brief, ‘Agroecology: Connecting People, Land, Climate and Biodiversity’, emphasises that the negotiations within the three Rio Conventions offer significant opportunities to strengthen agroecology within the framework of their respective processes. Entry points for integrating agroecological approaches include:
- The indicators of the Global Biodiversity Monitoring Framework
- The global objective of the UNFCCC in terms of adaptation
- Practical approaches to the implementation of the strategic objectives of the UNCCD
- The increased participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, particularly within the framework of the CBD and the UNCCD
- The initiatives of the COPs on food systems.
Toward the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, the Agroecology Coalition presents concrete recommendations, including:
- Seize strategic opportunities: Engage with opportunities that may arise in the context of the UNCCD Riyadh Action Programme, the UNFCCC negotiations on agriculture (SJWA), the Global Adaptation Goal, the Harmoniya Initiative and the FAST Partnership, as well as the CBD submission process on strengthening policy coherence on climate and biodiversity.
- Engage with national governments and non-state actors: support efforts to integrate transformative approaches for agriculture and food systems, including agroecology, into national planning processes and documents.
- Develop standardised indicators: for monitoring agroecological transitions that align with the CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCD frameworks.
- Explore financing mechanisms: emerging from the CBD and UNFCCC as well as other initiatives that could be used to support agroecology.
- Present concrete cases and economic evidence: illustrating the simultaneous benefits of agroecological systems for biodiversity, climate and land degradation.
- Promote an inclusive multi-stakeholder approach: ensuring the active participation of under-represented communities, including women, indigenous peoples and local communities, young people, smallholder farmers and herders, in COP processes.
“For 25 years, CARI has been promoting the agroecological transition as an exceptional opportunity to act in a systemic way, and to support the commitment of millions of small and medium-sized farmers to preserve living and productive food heritages. The agroecological transition is one of the priority pathways for the resilience of humanity as a whole in the face of future shocks. Its recognition must be enshrined at the highest levels of political commitment.” – Patrice Burger, Chair of the Board, CARI
Find out more about the Agroecology Coalition: https://agroecology-coalition.org/
