Bioeconomy, Agrifood Systems in NDCs Discussed at COP 30

Bioeconomy, the role of agrifood systems in achieving nationally determined contributions (NDCs), examples from Taiwan and Paraguay in realizing low-emission pathways, and climate finance for agrifood transformation were issues addressed in side events on 18 November during the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30).

One event marked the launch of the Bioeconomy Challenge Metrics Working Group, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). FAO will build on its 2025 report, ‘Indicators for Sustainable Bioeconomy: Towards Building a Monitoring and Assessment Framework,’ developed in collaboration with the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy, launched by Brazil in 2024 in its role as G20 President and carried forward by South Africa in 2025. It will also respond to priorities heard in a consultation process towards the possible establishment of a global, multistakeholder partnership on bioeconomy, during which common indicators and data to track the growth and assess the sustainability of bioeconomy emerged as a core priority for collaboration.

Carina Pimenta, Brazil, situated the Working Group within the broader Bioeconomy Challenge, recalling its starting point was the G20 High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy in 2024. She described the effort as a collaborative space for agreement on metrics, standards, and approaches that support inclusive and market-ready bioeconomies.

Kaveh Zahedi, FAO, recalled the 2021 Aspirational Principles and Criteria for a Sustainable Bioeconomy, which sought to advance a holistic vision for the production, utilization, conservation, and regeneration of biological resources to support global food and nutrition security and sustainable development. He explained the Working Group aims to bring together the substantial body of existing tools and datasets in a coherent way, and outlined the roadmap to 2028 for the Working Group, which includes pilot testing, support for national bioeconomy strategies, and collaboration with mechanisms that update evidence and datasets.

A panel then explored key questions for the Working Group, including the purpose of bioeconomy metrics, essential elements for international coherence, and how to balance global consistency with local relevance. The event was organized by the Ministry of Environment of Brazil and FAO.

Another event highlighted the role of agrifood systems in meeting the commitments made by countries in their updated NDCs 3.0. The event showcased how the FAO NDC Agrifood Systems Help Desk can support countries in turning climate commitments into actionable, financed solutions.

Zahedi outlined findings from a recent FAO review of 35 NDCs 3.0, noting only 8% of pledged emission reductions among the top 15 agrifood emitters are being supported by concrete mitigation measures, with the remainder lacking clear implementation pathways. He said only 40% of NDCs reference climate risk and vulnerability assessments for agrifood systems. Zahedi also mentioned the Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans (SCALA) programme, co-led by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and FAO and funded by the Government of Germany, and the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) Partnership as vehicles to support countries in accelerating and unlocking the agrifood sector’s full potential.

Cambodia, Uganda, and Ecuador discussed their experiences in centering agrifood systems in their national climate plans. A panel on tools and resources to support countries: cited an analysis of Agrifood Systems in National Adaptation Plans, which shows that agrifood systems are universal priorities in NAPs; highlighted examples from SCALA’s work, including the restoration of degraded land in Ethiopia; and showcased insights from the Food Systems NDC Scorecard – a methodology that assesses how fully countries integrate food systems into their NDCs. The event was organized by FAO, UNDP, and the NDC Partnership.

Another event brought together experts and officials who shared their cooperative efforts and offered insights on how to make progress on low-emission pathways. Speakers highlighted:

Paraguay’s achievements in the clean energy sector, where renewables now constitute 97.3% of the country’s energy mix;
Taiwan’s decarbonization pathway, which includes six pillars, namely technological innovation, financial support, carbon pricing, regulatory adaptation, green collar talent, and community engagement; and
Paraguay’s opportunities to establish high-quality carbon credits, such as in the areas of landfill gas reduction, methane reduction, and electric vehicles (EVs).

One speaker described efforts to develop Paraguay’s NDC 3.0, including through workshops, noting the process identified activities, such as energy efficiency gains in heat generation, promoting renewable energy use in isolated areas, and transitioning to EVs, which has been aided by Taiwan. Another described how Itaipu’s hydropower facilities contribute 90% of the energy used in Paraguay and highlighted that a floating solar power plant is being developed to complement hydroelectric generation. The event was organized by the Industrial Technology Research Institute and the Government of Paraguay.

An event on unlocking climate finance for agrifood transformation and climate action provided insights on the diverse mix of finance solutions, national policies, carbon markets, Article 6 mechanisms, and philanthropy that can deliver transformative action for agrifood systems. An FAO and UNDP analysis of Agrifood Systems in National Adaptation Plans was launched, which explains that while countries recognize building resilience starts with agrifood systems and that they account for more than half of adaptation finance needs, the sector currently receives only about 20% of available funding.

High-level representatives from Australia, Germany, and Zambia offered high-level framing remarks. A panel discussion on finance included representatives from, among others: the World Bank, which is working to de-risk agriculture and food sectors in emerging markets; the Brazilian Development Bank, which is using deforestation monitoring data to screen rural loans; and Crédit Agricole, which provides a platform that puts companies and local authorities who want to contribute to carbon neutrality in touch with farmers who have solutions. The event was organized by FAO.