What could a good COP29 look like for the world’s small producers?
As world leaders meet in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 29th annual climate conference, we take a look into what needs to happen to ensure solutions work for all.
A woman weighs her sack of tea leaves at the Itundu tea collection centre in Nyeri County. Nyeri Chai Association are a producer collective who have raised the price of tea leaves for farmers across Kenya.
Every year when COP rolls around it is posited by some as the answer to tackling the climate crisis. For that to be the case this year, COP29 is really going to have to do some heavy lifting. By 2035, we need to reduce emissions by 56% if we want to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees and avert the worst consequences. But we are on track to achieve a reduction of less than 1% and the adverse impacts are already being felt:
Extreme temperatures are increasing the salt in the land and the crop is not growing as before. For these reasons many of us can no longer cultivate paddy [rice]…During the summer, the temperature raises so high that it causes the land to dry up and crack. The strength of the soil is reduced; the vegetables are being attacked by insects. The climate is changing rapidly. Previously, the temperature was 30-32 C degrees in summer, now it is around 40 degrees C.
Sankar Mondal, Farmer, Bangladesh
The scale and pace of change that is required is unprecedented.
Countries will need to commit to far-reaching changes that will have significant implications for all of us, including the producers we work with. All of Transform Trade’s priority sectors will be impacted, with specific international targets for agriculture and increasing moves towards a ‘circular economy’ for garments.
Yet small producers, who provide around 80% of all jobs across the Global South and a significant share of the world’s food, have been marginalized in these conversations. They tell us new climate and environmental measures are dictated from on high, with no consultation or support to adjust farming or manufacturing processes. There is also no recognition of the steps they are already taking to respond to the climate crisis.
To halt the climate crisis and achieve a just transition, small producers and businesses must be at the heart of national and international plans.
How COP29 could address this:
Create mechanisms for small farmers and producers to have agency in trade-related climate measures
This will be the most important step in ensuring trade-related climate measures respond to the realities of small producers. Some producers are organized into networks that could provide a way to ensure meaningful representation, but many are not. A key goal must be to recognize and reward the work that small producers are already doing to reduce emissions.
Ensure those with the deepest pockets bear the cost of sustainability measures
There are now more than 300 voluntary standards and an increasing number of trade-related climate measures in the pipeline, from deforestation legislation to carbon border adjustment mechanisms (which would tax higher emitting products at the border). However too little attention has been given to their implementation, with the risk that costs are pushed down to the least powerful in the supply chain. Mechanisms must be built in to sustainability measures to ensure the bulk of costs is borne by those with the greatest ability to pay.
Develop mechanisms to ensure markets reward sustainability efforts
Our partners report that they often don’t get any financial reward for complying with new standards, for example changes in the kinds of pesticides that are allowed. But more sustainable production generally costs farmers and producers more. This means that they need to receive a higher price for their products.
Provide targeted support for small producers to adapt to new standards
The demands on climate finance are already high but if resource is not allocated to delivering on sustainability initiatives, they are likely to fail. Farmers must be given specific support to implement new requirements. This will include investment, training and capacity building.
COP29 won't solve the climate crisis alone. But unless space is made for the voices of the world's producers to be heard at decision making levels, real and tangible change simply won't be possible.