Climate Change Solutions Update

Category: Food, Agriculture, Land & Ocean (FALO)

Cut Emissions:
– Curb Growing Demands
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices

  • Agrivoltaics maintain or enhanche forage quality, study finds

    A study conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of New Hampshire found that agrivoltaic arrays can maintain or improve forage quality for grazing dairy cattle. The research focused on how solar intensity and panel configuration impact yield and feed quality of grasses and legumes. Results showed that while forage biomass was lower at a 50 kW solar site compared to a 30 kW site and control pasture, the 50 kW forages had higher crude protein content. Overall, the study suggests that agrivoltaic systems have the potential to enhance forage quality and biomass production compared to traditional pastures.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/16/agrivoltaics-maintain-or-enhanche-forage-quality-study-finds/

  • Why the Next Era of Mangrove Restoration Must Be Led Locally

    Coastal 500, the world's largest network of local government leaders committed to coastal protection, has surpassed its 500-member goal with the addition of 105 leaders from Indonesia's Sangihe Islands. The focus is on the importance of local leaders in building thriving coastal communities, particularly in protecting and restoring mangrove forests. Mangroves provide crucial benefits such as shoreline protection, habitat for fish and shellfish, biodiversity support, and food security. Local governments play a key role in balancing coastal development, fisheries access, and disaster planning to ensure effective mangrove conservation. Mangrove protection and restoration are most effective when locally owned, politically supported, and integrated into coastal governance priorities, as seen in Brazil, the Philippines, and Honduras. Coastal 500, representing over 2,000 communities across 8 countries, empowers communities and promotes sustainable fishing practices for climate resilience and food security, with Rare serving as the Secretariat to support members in coordinating activities and engaging with partners.

    https://www.mangrovealliance.org/news/the-next-era-of-mangrove-restoration-must-be-local

  • In the Fight to Defend the Amazon, This Indigenous Community’s Secret Weapon Is Science

    Paraecologists in Ecuador are working to document and protect the biodiversity of the rainforest, including endangered species like jaguars. They are using their expertise to gather evidence that can be used in legal battles against mining companies seeking to exploit the land. Ecuador's "rights of nature" laws give ecosystems legal rights, making it more difficult for projects like large-scale mining to be approved. The work of paraecologists has been successful in halting destructive projects in the past, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment through legal means.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/ecosystem-conservation-rights-of-nature-ecuador-copper-mine/

  • Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realisation of Agenda 2063 – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance

    The Africa Urban Forum in Nairobi, Kenya emphasized the importance of South-South Cooperation in Sustainable Urban Development in the Era of Climate Crisis, with a focus on housing as a unifying platform for enhancing productivity, climate resilience, social cohesion, and long-term prosperity in alignment with Agenda 2063. Mr. Philip Kilonzo of PACJA highlighted the significance of South-South cooperation in sustainable development. Civil Society Organizations in the Global South are leading community-driven climate adaptation efforts, upgrading informal settlements, implementing water recycling measures, and promoting nature-based solutions to bridge the gap between communities and governments.

    https://pacja.org/advancing-socio-economic-and-environmental-transformation-towards-the-realisation-of-agenda-2063/

  • Five Years Into a Fishing Ban, the Yangtze River Is Teeming With Life

    A 10-year commercial fishing ban on the Yangtze River has led to a significant increase in fish biomass, species richness, and improved water quality, benefiting larger fish and endangered species like the Yangtze finless porpoise. The ban has also reduced underwater noise from boat propellers, showing that bold policies can catalyze ecological recovery in large-scale rivers. Despite challenges from river fragmentation caused by dams like the Gezhouba and Three Gorges, the ban has doubled biomass in the area, marking a historic milestone in conservation efforts. The extension of the ban through 2030 is seen as a bold strategy to restore the Yangtze River's ecosystem, demonstrating that strong political decisions in favor of the environment can have positive impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/yangtze-river-fishing-ban-endangered-species-conservation/

  • Beyond Meat joins the Exponential Roadmap Initiative’s Climate Solutions Cluster

    Beyond Meat's Beyond Burger® IV and Beyond Steak® Tips have been recognized as qualifying climate solutions by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) for their significantly lower emissions compared to conventional options. The Beyond Burger® IV has a 70% lower carbon footprint than the US-average beef patty, while the Beyond Steak® Tips have a 65% lower carbon footprint. Shifting diets towards plant-based alternatives can help reduce emissions from the food system and support a more resilient food system, as plant-based foods generally require fewer resources and can reduce emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with food production.

    https://exponentialroadmap.org/beyond-meat-joins-the-exponential-roadmap-initiatives-climate-solutions-cluster/

  • Marina Silva steps down as Brazil’s environment minister to run for Congress

    Marina Silva, a prominent figure in Brazil's climate agenda, successfully reduced deforestation by over 50% during her tenure as Environment Minister and aims to eliminate it by 2030. Under her leadership, policies were implemented to combat forest fires and control deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado, with increased funding for enforcement operations. Despite facing challenges such as setbacks in legislation and policies favoring infrastructure projects like offshore oil drilling, Silva played a key role in creating conservation areas, implementing anti-deforestation strategies, and designing the Amazon Fund. Her reorganization of the Environment Ministry and federal agencies has left a lasting impact on Brazil's environmental efforts, making her a significant figure in the fight against climate change.

    https://apnews.com/article/brazil-marina-silva-president-lula-amazon-rainforest-bff01765f99b8ec27870135ff69ae511

  • Solar sheep grazing delivers margins up to 40% in new study

    Agrivoltaic sheep grazing models in Ontario have been found to outperform traditional farming, offering higher margins and dual revenue streams from livestock and solar site services. The co-location of sheep grazing and solar PV arrays, known as agrivoltaics, provides a robust solution to the tightening profit margins of modern agriculture. Research by Western University indicates that these integrated business models offer a hedge against market volatility, with performance metrics consistently exceeding the broader agricultural industry's average EBITDA margin. The study explores two operational strategies – a year-round "Breeding Model" and a seasonal "Auction Model" – both of which show high financial stability and return on investment. The dual-revenue nature of the business, vegetation management fees from solar asset owners, and the technical superiority of sheep for vegetation control under solar panels contribute to the economic and environmental benefits of agrivoltaic systems. This approach could also help address trade imbalances in the meat industry, boost the rural economy by $170 million, create specialized agricultural jobs, enhance local food security, and preserve farmland while ensuring the financial resilience of family farms in the long term.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/26/solar-sheep-grazing-delivers-margins-up-to-40-in-new-study/

  • Passing the Current

    The Misool Marine Reserve in Indonesia, known for its high marine biodiversity, has seen improvements in coral reefs thanks to the coral restoration work led by the Misool Foundation. Through training local communities in coral planting techniques, the foundation has empowered villagers and students to become stewards of the reef, creating a self-sustaining network dedicated to marine conservation. By embedding conservation practices within the community, the foundation is ensuring the long-term protection of the marine ecosystem. As school students from nearby villages practice these techniques, they are preparing to be future guardians of the reef, contributing to the ongoing efforts to restore and protect the marine environment.

    https://wildnet.org/news/passing-the-current/

  • Unpacking the Belem-Addis Vision for Africa’s Climate Adaptation – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance

    Progress was made at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with countries agreeing on global indicators for climate adaptation under the Global Goal on Adaptation and launching the Belem-Addis Vision. Experts emphasized the need for clearer frameworks, increased finance, and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure funds reach vulnerable communities, highlighting the importance of healthy ecosystems, community-led adaptation, and addressing food security. Calls were made for increased financing in the agriculture sector, with a focus on grant-based finance, locally driven solutions, and investment in technology and agroecological practices. Water was highlighted as crucial for adaptation, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where millions lack basic services, and closing this gap is seen as essential for effective climate adaptation and broader development as COP32 in Addis Ababa approaches.

    https://pacja.org/unpacking-the-belem-addis-vision-for-africas-climate-adaptation/