Orhan Solak, deputy director of Türkiye's Directorate of Climate Change, emphasizes the need to repurpose agricultural subsidies to support a just rural transition and achieve climate goals. There is a call for stronger consensus and rapid implementation of sustainable practices in agriculture to address current challenges, aligning agricultural transformation with environmental integrity and social equity. The importance of supporting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems through targeted investments, capacity-building, and innovation is highlighted, with a focus on inclusive rural development and intergenerational equity. Countries are recognizing the need for climate action to not come at the cost of food security, livelihoods, and equality, with examples of redirecting farm subsidies towards more climate-positive practices for long-term resilience. The Bonn Climate Conference is set to discuss a Just Transition Mechanism for a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, placing agrifood systems and rural communities at the heart of the climate agenda, with COP31 Presidency priorities in Turkey expected to prioritize climate equity and inclusive action for climate justice.
Category: Food, Agriculture, Land & Ocean (FALO)
Cut Emissions:
– Curb Growing Demands
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
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Beyond Washington: Nine examples of local governments taking climate action
State and city governments across the United States are taking bold climate action, leading the way in renewable energy expansion, ecosystem protection, and regenerative agriculture promotion as federal leadership falters. California and Vermont have set ambitious goals for renewable energy sourcing, while Chicago is transitioning to clean energy and carbon neutrality by 2050. States like Oregon and Massachusetts are implementing innovative conservation and food waste reduction policies, aligning with the One Earth Solutions Framework to combat climate change. These local efforts demonstrate the tangible results of determined action and serve as a blueprint for national and global climate solutions, emphasizing the importance of starting meaningful change at the local level.
https://www.oneearth.org/nine-examples-of-local-governments-taking-climate-action/
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Encoding Resilience: A vision for climate action
The Techonomy Climate Conference emphasized the importance of integrating nature into climate change strategies, highlighting the One Earth Solutions Framework and Climate Model as tools for sustainable solutions. The framework focuses on renewable energy, nature conservation, and regenerative agriculture, supported by global climate science. The need for strategic thinking, education, and holistic approaches in developing climate tech solutions was discussed, along with the importance of protecting natural areas with deep biodiversity. Embracing Indigenous knowledge, community-led solutions, and grassroots efforts are key to achieving sustainable outcomes and addressing climate change effectively.
https://www.oneearth.org/techonomy-climate-encoding-resilience-2024/
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From Local Efforts to Regional Impact: Strengthening Resilience in South Central Texas
Communities and organizations in South Central Texas are working together to build resilience against extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding through regional collaboration. The Resources Connector Forum hosted by C2ES highlighted opportunities to strengthen resilience by updating building codes, establishing communication networks, and developing nature-based solutions. Increasing public-private partnerships is crucial, with sectors like insurance, construction, and tech providing expertise in weatherizing homes and strengthening critical infrastructure. A Regional Action Roadmap is being developed to guide communities and businesses in mitigating climate impacts, with Year 2 of the Accelerator program focusing on implementing resilience strategies through cross-sector coordination.
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The French City That Champions Its Trees
The city of Sceaux, south of Paris, has adopted a Tree Charter in 2019 to protect and expand its urban canopy, focusing on deepening knowledge of the city's trees, implementing specific commitments, and involving both individual and collective action to safeguard the green giants of Sceaux. The charter promotes planting species adapted to the local soil and climate, incentivizes residents and landowners to plant and protect trees, and offers compensation for damaged or felled trees. Comprehensive policies like Sceaux's Tree Charter are crucial for urban resilience, as urban trees provide a wide range of benefits and sustainable systems are needed to protect and fortify them in cities. Other cities are also investing in urban trees through Local Urban Forestry Action Plans to improve the urban environment and combat heat islands, highlighting the value of trees for a more livable city in the future.
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Great Koala National Park tests whether protected forests can stay connected
Australia is planning a new Great Koala National Park in New South Wales to address the decline of koalas due to habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and climate change impacts. The park aims to provide connected habitat for koalas and other threatened species, emphasizing the importance of managing whole landscapes to ensure ecological connections and habitat functionality. Conservationists support the park proposal but warn of challenges such as logging pressure and weak enforcement, highlighting the crucial need for connectivity between forest remnants for species to move and adapt to changing conditions.
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New metric assesses innovation readiness in agrivoltaics
The Agrivoltaic Innovation Index (AII) developed by researchers at Firat University evaluates research-driven innovation in agrivoltaics across four dimensions and distinguishes innovation readiness from general research performance. European and East Asian nations rank higher in AII tiers, while countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of South and Southeast Asia exhibit lower overall AII values due to weak diffusion mechanisms and collaboration structures. The AII can help governments identify gaps in technology and knowledge sharing to create policies addressing weaknesses in research, with countries like Burkina Faso, Benin, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, and Niger showing high AII scores despite fewer published papers, indicating focused projects addressing urgent local needs. These nations could benefit from international cooperation and support to further develop agrivoltaic innovation clusters.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/22/new-metric-assesses-innovation-readiness-in-agrivoltaics/
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Digital Rice Emission Avoidance Methodology (DREAM)
Gold Standard has introduced the Digital Rice Emission Avoidance Methodology (DREAM) to address the challenges of sustainable rice production for smallholder farmers. DREAM utilizes a tech-forward framework with a bifurcated verification pathway, using Satellite Digital MRV for smallholders and direct physical measurements for large-scale estates. The methodology includes safeguards such as the "Flowering Lock" and weather adjustments to protect crop yields and prevent over-crediting during natural droughts, as well as labor safeguards for vulnerable farming communities. Feedback on DREAM is welcomed until 22 May 2026, aiming to democratize access to carbon finance while maintaining environmental integrity in rice production.
https://www.goldstandard.org/consultations/digital-rice-emission-avoidance-methodology-dream
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How countries, cities and companies accelerate the transformation to plant-rich food
The importance of normalizing plant-rich diets to address climate change is highlighted in the article, with efforts from institutions like the Mayor of New York City's Office of Food Policy promoting plant-based options in meals served in schools. The EU deforestation law is mentioned as a way to price in the true cost of high-emission food production, while educating the next generation of cooks and culinary professionals is seen as crucial in shaping sustainable food systems. Making sustainable food choices easy, accessible, and delicious is emphasized to drive a cultural shift towards more climate-friendly diets, ultimately leading to reduced global greenhouse gas emissions and decreased fossil fuel usage in food systems.
https://exponentialroadmap.org/how-to-accelerate-the-transformation-to-plant-rich-food/
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Morocco’s whole-of-government approach to climate policy in action
Morocco has prioritized climate change on its policy agenda, adopting a "whole-of-government" approach with support from the World Bank Group. The country is focusing on clean energy transition to address climate impacts on jobs, particularly in rural areas reliant on agriculture. Aligning its 2025 NDCs with the 2026-2028 budget, Morocco is implementing Climate Budget Tagging and other initiatives like greening public procurement and developing Green Sovereign Bonds. Despite challenges in policy implementation, collaboration with international partners is helping turn climate ambition into an executable roadmap.
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/moroccos-whole-government-approach-climate-policy-action