IFA at the COPs
In the last quarter of 2024, IFA traveled to Cali, Colombia, and Baku, Azerbaijan, to represent the fertilizer industry at the Biodiversity and Climate COPs. The IFA delegation organized events, gathered insights on critical negotiations, and presented the industry as a solutions provider to the global challenges of food security, nature protection, and climate change.
Biodiversity COP16- Cali, Colombia
IFA put an important focus on the Biodiversity COP this year, to promote key messages defined by members in the Industry Position on Biodiversity.
IFA was pleased by the inclusion of the Cropland Nutrient Balance Database, a joint FAO-IFA project, as an indicator for the Global Biodiversity Framework’s target on nutrient loss reduction (Target 7), signalling its recognition of nutrient use efficiency.
While at COP16, IFA organized a leadership roundtable with representatives from UN Environment (Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division), FinDev Canada, Rabobank Brasil, WWF, Eurasia Group, Syngenta Group, Sociedad de Agricultores de Colombia, Bayer, World Farmer’s Organisation, Global Environment Facility, CropLife International, members Yara International and Nutrien, and was moderated by IFA CEO/Director General Alzbeta Klein.
The group discussed what game-changing approaches could look like for the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Participants agreed on the important role of government in providing an enabling environment for long-term investments through policy and regulation; on the urgency of improving the prospects and economic stability of young farmers; and the importance of recognizing the private sector as a provider of data, science and ultimately, food security.
IFA also hosted a panel discussion on the COP site, dedicated to the financing of the transition of agriculture for food security and nature protection. This event brought together representatives from the Government of Japan, Forética, CropLife International and the National Hemp Association. The exchange provided concrete examples of the effects of policy, subsidy realignment, and the deployment of technology in the acceleration of nature-positive practices. The participants also agreed on the importance of collaboration along the agricultural value chain, with a shared commitment to help farmers access more precision agriculture tools and knowledge.
Climate COP29- Baku, Azerbaijan
IFA ensured the visibility of the industry at the Climate COP29 through three events, bringing together renowned speakers from organizations such as the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the US Dairy Export Council, and many more, to address critical issues facing the agricultural sector today.
IFA partnered with the CGIAR Consortium and Climate Advisers for a panel discussion dedicated to the reduction of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from food systems. Based on the CGIAR’s 2024 Breakthrough Report, the event demonstrated the impact that technology development can have on reducing emissions; growers’ diverse needs for technology and tools, depending on their farming system and context; and the importance of assessing and re-purposing subsidies towards low-carbon practices, among many topics covered.
In another event, IFA, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Coalition of Action for Soil Health (CA4SH) discussed the implementation of sustainable intensification. The speakers highlighted the role of technology, investment, and supportive policies as enabling factors for the sustainable transformation of agriculture. They also encouraged thinking beyond land management considerations, taking into account societal and economic drivers of sustainable intensification, for instance secure land tenure and water rights for growers.
In the last COP29 engagement, IFA, IRRI, and the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) hosted an official side event at the COP dedicated to the commitments and investments to reach net-zero agriculture. The discussion focused on government-driven systems to transition to sustainable agriculture and the importance of knowledge transfer to drive green transitions at a global scale.
UNCDD (UN Convention to Combat Desertification) COP16, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2024 concluded with a third UN COP dedicated to desertification, drought, and land degradation. IFA took this opportunity to promote its new Industry Position on Water Resilience, which establishes the critical link between nutrient and water management, showcases the water efficiency measures being implemented on IFA Members' production sites, and demonstrates the role of innovative fertilization techniques (such as fertigation) in maximizing water resource efficiency.
IFA also teamed up with the US Department of State on the VACS project, highlighting the need to invest into research and production of less common crops, for nature protection and food security. The year of the triple COP is behind us. Lot of work got done, and a lot remains. Our industry is committed to provide solutions to help feed the world sustainably.
