MINNEAPOLIS—As governments and civil society prepare to gather in Sharm el-Sheikh for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP27), the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) is joining partners around the world to advocate for agroecology and real zero and just solutions for agriculture. We are also exposing false net-zero agribusiness climate claims.

IATP has engaged with the United Nations climate talks for more than two decades, advocating for bolder action to reduce emissions and deeper investments in a just transition, particularly for food and agriculture. At COP27, IATP staff will prioritize the following:  

• Net-Zero pledges: Net-zero promises allow major polluters, such as agribusiness and fossil fuel companies, to continue status quo operations while using land-based carbon credits to “offset” emissions. IATP is demanding that countries and agribusiness companies make real emissions cuts to strive for real zero. 
• Methane action: Agriculture is the world’s largest methane source. Urgent action is required to cut emissions of the potent gas. At COP26, more than 100 countries launched the Global Methane Pledge, yet none have committed to systemically cut methane from agriculture. Through research on the methane emissions of some of the world’s largest livestock companies, IATP is highlighting the need to regulate emissions and transition from the high-emitting industrial model of animal agriculture.
• Investment in food systems resilience: The threat from climate change and the vulnerabilities in the supply chain necessitate a commitment to investment of international resources into climate adaptation strategies to make food and farm systems more resilient.
• International support for agroecology: A COP27 outcome should provide meaningful guidance on agriculture and resources to countries for transitioning their food and farming system towards agroecology.

Over the next three weeks, IATP will release publications focused on these four themes. Publications include analysis of the following: the AIM for Climate initiative; the United States’ commitment to the Global Methane Pledge; and agribusiness’ positions on carbon removals. In addition, IATP with Changing Markets will release a first-of-its-kind report of the methane emissions of 15 of the biggest global meat and dairy companies. IATP also launched its COP27 podcast series on October 20.

During COP27, IATP will cohost a side event in Sharm el-Sheikh with CIDSE on November 11 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. EET. The event will make the case against land-based carbon offsets for polluters.

IATP experts will be available on-the-ground in Sharm el-Sheikh and virtually to provide comment on COP27 developments.

Download a PDF of the press release.