Agriculture sits at the heart of the global climate challenge feeding the world while generating nearly one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions. Yet at the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Belém from November 10 to 21, 2025, meaningful progress on food system reform largely slipped away. Despite global expectations that hosting the summit in the Amazon would confront deforestation and industrial agriculture’s expanding footprint, the final climate text barely acknowledged food systems at all.
Food was mentioned just once in the negotiated outcomes, framed narrowly under “climate-resilient food production” within the Global Goal on Adaptation. Language within the Mitigation Work Programme was also diluted, shifting from addressing the “drivers” of deforestation to a much softer reference to “challenges”. There was no direct reference to the role of industrial agriculture in pushing nearly ninety per cent of global forest loss.
Experts called this omission deliberate. Raj Patel, professor at the University of Texas and an expert with the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems, said the near-erasure of food systems reflects the immense influence of agribusiness. “Industrial agriculture holds extraordinary power over this process, and it shows,” he said, noting that two years ago, one hundred and sixty countries signed a declaration on sustainable agriculture. “Today they cannot bring themselves to mention the word ‘food’ in the Muritão decision.”
Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work Programme Stalls Again
The only formal negotiating track dedicated to food and agriculture the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on agriculture and food security remained limited to a brief set of discussions in the first week of COP30. Established in 2022 at COP27, the four-year programme is intended to guide evidence-based recommendations on integrating agriculture into climate action.
However, these discussions stalled on November 13. Countries agreed to resume work only in June next year in Bonn, Germany. The draft text that emerged blended genuinely holistic approaches such as agroecology and indigenous knowledge with more contentious entries like precision agriculture, artificial intelligence and carbon offset mechanisms solutions often championed by developed blocs and criticised as greenwashing tools.
Much of this new language was inserted at the last minute by the Environmental Integrity Group, leaving countries no time to debate the additions. Teresa Anderson of Action Aid International said these controversial solutions are “controlled and beloved by agribusiness corporations” and risk deepening corporate dominance over food systems while pushing farmers off land and out of work.
Experts say the postponement means COP31 in Türkiye will be the final chance for the joint work programme to produce substantive outcomes.
Finance Deadlock Threatens Real Progress
A key sticking point throughout COP30 was finance. Issues such as increasing access to climate and adaptation finance for agriculture, as well as integrating food systems meaningfully into Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans, remain unresolved.
A major analysis by Climate Focus for Family Farmers for Climate Action found that supporting small-scale farmers to adapt requires four hundred and forty-three billion dollars annually less than what is currently spent on harmful subsidies. Yet wealthier nations showed little willingness to provide public, grant-based finance. Two-thirds of all climate finance currently comes through private loans, adding yet another burden on vulnerable communities.
With discussions pushed to the Bonn workshop in 2026, observers warn that the delay may slow support for the smallholder farmers who produce one-third of the world’s food and face the harshest climate impacts.
Agribusiness Presence Dominates AgriZone And Negotiation Rooms
Outside formal negotiations, the AgriZone a dedicated space promoting terms like regenerative agriculture, green fertilisers and climate-smart agriculture was heavily influenced by large agribusiness, dairy and meat corporations. These sectors drive forest loss across the Amazon, especially through cattle, soy and maize expansion.
The AgriZone was only two kilometres from the main Blue Zone, yet the influence of agribusiness stretched deep into the centre of negotiations. Many agribusiness representatives joined government delegations, shaping national positions and lowering ambition around deforestation and emissions.
Ahead of COP30, Brazil had raised expectations by promoting its “Belém Roadmaps” on ending deforestation and guiding fossil-fuel transitions. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke of a “pact for forests, oceans and humanity”. However, when it came to addressing industrial agriculture the largest driver of Amazon forest loss the final text revealed little political will.
Action Agenda Offers Hope But Also Raises Fears Of Greenwashing
The COP30 Action Agenda highlighted several voluntary initiatives aimed at building equitable, climate-resilient food systems. These included collaborations with Family Farmers for Climate Action, agroecology learning networks and the Belém Declaration on Hunger and Human-Centred Climate Action. The Global Methane Pledge also promised a thirty per cent reduction in methane emissions by 2030.
However, the voluntary nature of the Action Agenda drew heavy criticism. Experts said it allows corporations to make unverified claims, sidestepping regulation while shaping narratives in their favour. “The Action Agenda lacks basic standards and independent verification,” Anderson said. “Agribusinesses love this space because they can make claims without scrutiny.”
While these initiatives may offer innovative pathways, experts warn that without transparency, regulation and strong conflict-of-interest policies, food systems will continue to be the “elephant in the room” at climate negotiations.
A Missed Moment For The Amazon And For Global Food Systems
COP30 was widely expected to be a decisive moment for tackling agriculture’s enormous climate footprint, especially given the Amazon’s central role in global climate stability. Instead, negotiators produced a text that barely acknowledges food systems and weakens key commitments on deforestation.
As the world races to limit warming, experts warn that avoiding agricultural emissions and allowing industrial agribusiness to dominate climate governance will endanger climate goals and deepen inequality.
The road now leads to Bonn in 2026 and ultimately to Türkiye for COP31, where the final deadline for the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work programme awaits. Whether governments will confront the power of agribusiness and take meaningful steps toward transforming food systems remains uncertain.