COP30’s agenda includes the subject of transforming agriculture and food systems, a priority for Pakistan
he Punjab chief minister has reached the COP30 venue in Brazil. She is accompanied by a competent delegation (provincial ministers and the chief secretary). She has been seen interacting with Jessy Arden, New Zealand’s former prime minister, and now a programme director at Harvard. That shows a high level of commitment. There is also an element of excitement. Being one of the most highly vulnerable territories, Pakistan needs to highlight unique challenges that it faces and seek collaborations that are urgently needed.
Over the last two decades, the global climate change impacts have been acknowledged as a reality. These are challenging global economies, politics and pathways to achieving UN SDGs by 2030—SDG 2, zero hunger, in particular.
The Kyoto Agreement has been followed by a series of COPs (Conferences of Parties). The world has committed itself to collective action. Pakistan, a signatory to the Paris Agreement, has submitted its third Nationally Determined Contribution in September, 2025, highlighting priorities for agriculture, water, ecosystems and food security. The NDC 3.0 proposed 50 percent GHG reduction by 2035—approximately 17 percent unconditional (domestic) and approximately 33 percent conditional with international support estimating $565.7 billion.
The COP30 host, Brazil, has a rich heritage of Amazon forests that are threatened by human actions. That offers a rich ground to discuss global climate action and national commitments. Climate financing, Loss and Damage Fund promises and climate justice will be the hot topics at the COP30.
The six-point agenda of COP30 includes “transforming agriculture and food systems,” a priority for Pakistan. The political economy and rural development of the country revolve around agriculture. Food security is threatened by changing climate (drought, heat, salinity, floods); water and soil health; and insect-pests leading to productivity loss. It is estimated that more than 40 percent of the population has faced moderate to severe/ chronic food insecurity and malnutrition in Pakistan. Water pollution by fertilisers (urea-N2) and industrial waste are also key polluters of the environment in Pakistan.
To feed the growing global population, the world needs to increase agricultural produce by up to 70 percent by 2050. This will vary from region to region—Africa 99 percent, Middle East and North Africa 46 percent and Asia 45 percent. Understandably, some countries are self-sufficient, thanks to better land and water productivity and population control.
The agriculture productivity in Pakistan declined in 2025 due to floods, market challenges, input prices, import/ export and certain policy decisions. Food insecurity is manifested by the import of $9 billion commodities, including wheat and soybean. As per the recent agriculture census, 40 percent of the workforce is directly linked with agriculture and livestock. However, the youth exodus from agriculture has raised alarms for a bleak future. Shrinking farmlands and meager inclusivity of women increase climate vulnerability. We need to learn lessons of self-resilience from these climate flash events instead of celebrating the Loss and Damage Fund agreement in COP27.
The main polluters of global climate are industrialised countries. Pakistan contributes less than 1 percent of the global GHGs. However, it is among the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries. Deforestation and lack of climate adaptation strategies further compromise the livelihood of smallholder farmers, women and marginalised communities in Pakistan. There are 11 million farm households and 97 percent with an average of 5 acres or less. The farm/ seasonal labour faces a constant threat of wage loss due to climate uncertainties.
Climate change impacts public health with the emergence of vector- and water-borne diseases, climate anxiety, depression, mental health issues and non-communicable diseases. One Health, Eco-Health and Planetary Health are global initiatives and multi-disciplinary approaches that can be adopted to solve the inter-connected health of humans, animals and the environment.
The current situation of smog/ fog and air quality index in Pakistan is alarming. It needs concerted efforts to phase out fossil fuels with green energy solutions. Vehicular emissions are the principal polluter. Tree plantation and community awareness can promote adaptive measures.
Rural development and agricultural productivity are strongly correlated. A recent World Bank report suggests that only 12 percent of the population can now be classified as rural. The peri-urban category is emerging as the major land occupation. This development is bound to add to our climate challenges and food insecurity.
On the climate action front, Pakistan has taken some appreciable initiatives such as green transport (EVs), solarisation (approximately 21 percent), forestry, land-use planning, water, agriculture, waste management and mangrove plantation in coastal ecosystems. Clean and Green Punjab (Suthra Punjab) is a flagship programme that has qualified for carbon credit. Suthra Punjab will be helpful in decreasing vector-borne diseases such as dengue epidemics and better waste management in rural-urban municipalities. The National Climate Change Policy (2021), Framework for Implementation of Climate Change Policy (2014-2030), Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP), Climate Change Act 2017, Renewable Energy Policy 2019, and EV Policy 2020 are in place.
The Asian Development Bank and World Bank projects for low-carbon agriculture mechanisation in the Punjab and clean air further strengthen the regional/ global partnership. Green Agri Malls and Kissan Cards offered by the Punjab government are benefitting farmer communities by providing equitable market access and compensation. However, these are short-term solutions. Solid waste management, water pricing, soil health restoration, GM crops adoption, agro-forestry offer sustainable solutions.
Data driven technology adoption, GIS mapping, weather forecasting and mobile advisories for farmers can bring a positive change. However, that requires targeted investments in reforming our research system and data acquisitions (genetics, agronomy, post-harvest losses, carbon credit, green skills and GHG mitigation). The lack of data sharing is a common problem.
The COP30 brings hope for the operationalisation of the 30-year journey of COP commitments for renewable energy, stewarding ecosystem, transforming agriculture food systems, resilient cities, societal development and technology adoption. The water-food-climate nexus requires a sustained effort. Financing, technology transfer, capacity building and climate smart agriculture practices are necessary for a food secure future.
The writer is the chairperson of Punjab Higher Education Commission and a former vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.