AI is being utilized to aid farmers in predicting droughts and managing crops efficiently, but concerns arise regarding the environmental cost of training large models and running data centers. Cooling is identified as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with sustainable alternatives gaining momentum. Initiatives like the Technology Implementation Programme at COP30 and the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive are working to promote sustainable solutions and bridge gaps in finance, policy, and delivery for vulnerable communities. Researcher Alisa Luangrath's AI-powered irrigation system in Lao People's Democratic Republic won the UNFCCC "AI for Climate Action" Award, integrating soil moisture sensors, groundwater monitors, and meteorological data to assist farmers in planning planting and irrigation cycles more efficiently. However, the environmental footprint of AI, including data centers, is a growing concern, with potential strain on water resources as countries like Brazil race to attract data centers.
Category: Food, Agriculture, Land & Ocean (FALO)
Cut Emissions:
– Curb Growing Demands
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
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What do African countries want from COP30?
African government negotiators at COP30 are prioritizing fair sharing of the bill for climate change, seeking finance solutions to help them become more resilient to climate disasters and transition to cleaner energy without adding to their debt loads. Several African countries have lowered emissions cutting ambitions in their latest national climate plans due to lack of funding. The goal is to ensure practical solutions are recognized for African countries experiencing global warming, with a focus on debt-free finance and increased provision of climate cash from public and private sources. African negotiators are pushing for $1.3 trillion in annual financial support by 2035, with the majority being grant-based resources to avoid increasing the continent's debt burden. Africa's total external debt has risen to $1.15 trillion by the end of 2023, with debt servicing reaching $163 billion in 2024. African negotiators are aiming to unlock cash to implement national adaptation plans and adopt metrics tailored to Africa's circumstances. Discussions are ongoing to finalize a set of around 100 indicators for adaptation progress. African countries are eager to see national adaptation plans become a reality on the ground, with a focus on building resilience and capacity for emergency response. The Congo Basin is receiving limited international forest-related financing, and African delegates are interested in the Tropical Forest Forever Facility launched by Brazil at COP30. African civil society groups are calling for COP30 to recognize the Congo Basin as a vital global climate asset and ensure equitable finance flows for its protection. They also want support for Africa-led initiatives like the Great Green Wall and AFR100 to strengthen nature-based solutions. Activists are pushing for a Just Transition Work Programme to ensure social justice and equity in job creation and finance during the global shift to cleaner energy sources. African countries are also advocating for discussions at COP30 on critical minerals to focus on powering Africa's transition and supporting their development. Loss and damage costs in Africa due to climate impacts are estimated to be between $280 billion-$440 billion a year from 2020 to 2030. Africa is facing "irreplaceable loss" due to climate change impacts, including damage to cultural heritage sites, shrinking farmlands, and worsening health. The country is calling for international support to cope with these challenges. At COP30, African civil society groups are advocating for the new global Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to provide grants for climate-vulnerable nations in Africa. The fund should offer assistance for both sudden and slow-onset crises, such as losses from rising seas or desertification. Africa's COP30 envoy emphasizes the need for an efficient fund that can address loss and damage on an emergency basis, criticizing the slow progress and lack of significant donations to the FRLD.
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/11/10/what-do-african-countries-want-from-cop30/
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Hydrogen, Measured Properly: What 2,000 Projects Reveal About Its Climate Value
A study in Nature Energy has found that hydrogen makes sense in a few industrial applications but little else, with most of today's hydrogen being used for fertilizer, refining, and methanol. The study examined about 2,000 existing and planned hydrogen projects and found that if all were built, they would produce about 110 million tons of hydrogen per year with significant emissions. The researchers suggest that hydrogen should replace dirty hydrogen in existing markets rather than creating new applications. Sectors like steel, biofuels, and ammonia have the best climate returns per kilogram of hydrogen used, but alternatives like electric arc furnaces and biomethane based DRI may be cheaper and easier to scale. Ammonia fertilizer produced with green hydrogen can support the generation of biofuel through increased crop yields, while carbon capture has a narrow role in low-carbon options, with the focus shifting towards more efficient use of renewable energy.
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Ceres applauds launch of Tropical Forest Forever Facility, urges more government and private sector support
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was launched at COP30 Leader's Summit with $5.5 billion in investment commitments to protect tropical forests, aiming to safeguard over 1 billion hectares by paying nations to keep them standing. Endorsed by 34 tropical forest countries, the fund mandates at least 20% of payments go to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, using a blended finance model to generate returns for investors and create an enabling environment for companies to close supply chain gaps. Ceres will release a report analyzing corporate progress on deforestation and offering pathways for business action in at-risk sectors.
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Sheep Frolic In Massive New Solar Power Plant
Solar power plants in Texas are on the rise, with the state leading in wind power and competing for the top spot in solar power. The state's unique economic policy has allowed for the development of large-scale solar projects, such as Enel's GulfStar solar power plant with energy storage. Energy storage systems are being used to enhance the value of solar projects, providing reliability and support to the grid. Solar power plants are gaining support from industries like data centers and high-volume electricity users due to their quick construction and ability to deliver electricity at utility scale. The solar grazing movement is also gaining momentum in Texas, with Enel contracting 6,000 sheep to manage vegetation at solar power plants covering over 10,000 acres. This represents a significant leap for the solar grazing movement in the US, with Enel estimating that solar grazing covered 100,000 acres by 2024. Power plants across the country are creating opportunities for farmers, such as Agrivoltaic Solutions which has expanded to a 500-sheep operation on 1,500 acres of solar sites. State policy makers, like in New York, are taking action to support agrivoltaic projects with a $7 million demonstration and research program. Enel has commissioned its largest solar power plant in the US where sheep will manage vegetation and enhance soil. This initiative showcases the potential for combining agriculture and renewable energy to address climate change.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/07/sheep-will-frolic-in-massive-new-solar-power-plant-in-texas/
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Agrivoltaic Movement Pivots To Green Hydrogen
The global agrivoltaic industry is evolving to include green hydrogen production, providing farmers with a new off-grid fuel and energy storage option. Researchers are studying the profitability and sustainability of integrating green hydrogen production with agrivoltaics, focusing on supporting food systems and producing green hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) charging stations. Co-locating agrivoltaics with water electrolysis to produce green hydrogen is seen as a means of decarbonization and energy independence, with projects like ECHO-WAVE in Luxembourg and federal support for green hydrogen in the US. The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor has emerged to supply green hydrogen for industrial centers in Europe, with the EU Innovation Fund supporting projects combining agrivoltaic systems with wind turbines. More activity in this area is expected, leveraging infrastructure and resources in low-demand regions to meet the strong demand for hydrogen and renewable energy solutions in the face of climate change and the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/10/27/the-agrivoltaic-movement-pivots-to-green-hydrogen/
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Cropped 5 November 2025: Nature finance at COP30; Storms devastate crops; Brazilian deforestation decline
Key climate-related points from the section include Brazil's announcement of an 11% drop in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, Malaysia and Indonesia updating their climate targets ahead of COP30, and the failure of UN biodiversity negotiations to agree on recommendations for the next major round of discussions. Additionally, Hurricane Melissa caused damage to crops in the Caribbean, while Cyclone Montha affected the agricultural sector in India, leading to significant losses for farmers. Around 1.7 billion people worldwide are living in places where human-driven land degradation is leading to falling crop yields, posing a threat to agricultural productivity and food security. Nigeria approved a new national carbon market framework to unlock up to $3bn annually in carbon finance, reinstated funding for climate change initiatives, and committed to mainstreaming climate action into national development. American pop star Billie Eilish announced a donation of $11.5m from her upcoming tour proceeds to causes dedicated to food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution. Eel trafficking in Europe, combined with habitat loss, pollution, and the climate crisis, is driving the slippery fish towards extinction. The COP30 UN climate talks in Brazil are focusing on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as a new funding mechanism to protect tropical forests. However, concerns have been raised about the fund's design and effectiveness in preserving forests. Brazil is also pushing for increased use of sustainable fuels and the development of biodiversity offsets and carbon credit markets. Despite a deadline for new climate pledges, only a third of countries have submitted them so far. Climate finance experts are concerned that the focus on private sector involvement is weakening official funds for climate solutions at COP30. They argue that addressing root drivers of tropical forest loss, such as changing diets and shifting harmful subsidies, would unlock serious grant money for countries. New science highlights the impact of expanding irrigation on water depletion and the potential climate implications of ammonia emissions from farming. The article also includes information on greenwashing in agriculture, wildlife trafficking, rainforest threats in Nigeria, and life in Sulawesi island.
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High stakes and high flavour: Indigenous chef brings Amazonian soul to COP30
Indigenous chef and activist Tainá Marajoara will showcase ancestral Amazonian dishes at COP30, using agroecological ingredients sourced sustainably to emphasize the link between Indigenous communities, food sovereignty, and climate justice. The initiative aims to be a model for future events, highlighting the importance of food sovereignty in environmental conservation and stressing the urgency of protecting Indigenous territories to safeguard the planet amidst global collapse. The article also discusses the importance of addressing climate change through urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and invest in sustainable practices for both the environment and the economy. Government policies, technological advancements, and individual actions are key in combating climate change and creating a sustainable future.
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World Mayors Summit Day 2
At the 2025 World Mayors Summit, C40 Cities announced three new accelerators to address climate-related issues in cities. The Cool Cities Accelerator aims to help cities prepare for extreme heat and protect residents from its deadly effects, while the Thriving Food Systems Accelerator focuses on transforming food systems for all residents. The Urban Planning Accelerator aims to drive bold climate action by placing people, planet, and prosperity at the center of urban development. These initiatives aim to create cooler, safer, fairer cities, tackle hunger, improve livelihoods, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25% by 2050. City leaders are also collaborating to decarbonize freight transport, reduce methane emissions, and accelerate climate progress through initiatives like CHAMP and the Global Mutirão, emphasizing the importance of cities in shaping the global climate agenda.
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Im Einklang mit dem Planeten: Rahmenwerk für neun globale Lebensmittelsystemgrenzen
A new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research highlights the significant impact of food production and consumption on exceeding planetary boundaries. The study introduces a framework for "food system boundaries" based on the nine scientific planetary boundaries, all of which are currently being exceeded. The use of pesticides in agriculture is a major contributor to biodiversity loss. To stay on track for the 1.5-degree Celsius target, food systems must drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, halt the conversion of intact nature into agricultural land, redistribute fertilizer use, and limit pesticide and antibiotic use to protect biodiversity and the environment.