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

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

  • Agrivoltaics Could Solve One of Solar’s Biggest Problems in the Philippines

    Agrivoltaics is gaining traction in the Philippines as a way to combine solar energy generation with agriculture on limited arable land, maximizing land use efficiency. The country's largest commercial agrivoltaic project in Batangas combines utility-scale solar generation with crop production and battery energy storage, showing promise for the coexistence of farming and clean energy production. Lessons from smaller trials have influenced the design of larger agrivoltaic projects, providing valuable operational data for future solar projects and offering a solution to land use conflicts while supporting rural communities. This innovation in the country's renewable energy transition highlights the potential for sustainable solutions in the clean tech sector.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/04/agrivoltaics-could-solve-one-of-solars-biggest-problems-in-the-philippines/

  • Environmental News Network – The Miracle Microbes That Could Save Crops From Impact of Rising Sea Levels

    Researchers at the University of East Anglia, led by Dr. Yanfen Zheng, have found that naturally occurring soil bacteria can assist plants in thriving in salty conditions, potentially revolutionizing agriculture globally. This discovery reveals a new method by which microbes can enhance plant growth in challenging environments, benefiting crops such as maize, tomato, and rapeseed. The implications of this breakthrough are significant, as it could allow crops to flourish in soil that was previously considered unusable, offering a promising solution to agricultural challenges posed by salinity.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/78121-the-miracle-microbes-that-could-save-crops-from-impact-of-rising-sea-levels

  • As food shocks spread, citizens are showing more leadership than governments

    The Global Citizens' Assembly, co-founded by Rich Wilson, highlighted the stark reality of food insecurity and its impact on climate change, with food systems contributing to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Proposed solutions include protecting forests, phasing down industrial animal food production, and implementing supply chain reform, supported by a super-majority of randomly selected participants from over 60 countries. The importance of citizen participation in climate decision-making is emphasized, with the need for active involvement in policy-making to bridge the gap between citizens and political leaders. The launch of a Citizens' Track within the UNFCCC process is seen as a positive step towards connecting global participation to intergovernmental climate negotiations, recognizing the public's role in generating ambitious and legitimate climate solutions outside of formal diplomatic channels. Political courage is needed to involve citizens in decision-making processes to address the governance challenge of climate change effectively.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/07/03/as-food-shocks-spread-citizens-are-showing-more-leadership-than-governments/

  • In Guatemala, Indigenous women build climate resilience with old and new farming methods

    Natün, a local non-profit in Guatemala, is working to improve climate resilience in Indigenous communities facing the impacts of climate change, such as disruptions to the rain cycle and erosion leading to food insecurity. By combining modern agriculture techniques with ancestral knowledge, the project aims to empower communities to be architects of their own resilience. Through establishing family food gardens, training women in climate-resilient practices, and focusing on sustainable agriculture, the project enhances food security, income diversification, and climate adaptation. The use of Indigenous practices has led to positive impacts on food production and income growth, providing practical tools for communities to address climate risks and empowering them to respond to environmental challenges. This approach is crucial in highly exposed countries like Guatemala and can be replicated in other Indigenous communities facing similar challenges.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/07/02/in-guatemala-indigenous-women-build-climate-resilience-with-old-and-new-farming-methods/

  • Powering fertilizer production with agrivoltaics

    India's fertilizer sector faces vulnerability due to reliance on imported natural gas for urea production, leading to increased subsidies for farmers. To address this, an integrated system combining agrivoltaics, maize cultivation, ethanol production, and urea manufacturing is proposed, utilizing captured CO2 for low-carbon urea production and green hydrogen for ammonia synthesis. This model offers multiple revenue streams, including government blending targets for ethanol and carbon markets for emission reductions, benefiting farmers, industry, and the government while supporting rural economic development. The Renewables team at CSTEP, a research-based think tank focused on science, technology, and policy, leads the way in promoting renewable energy solutions and energy conservation strategies in India.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/03/powering-fertiliser-production-with-agrivoltaics/

  • Perspectives from the Sacred Waters Gathering

    The Sacred Waters Gathering brought together Indigenous leaders and practitioners to focus on water stewardship, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration, emphasizing the ecological decline of the Rio Grande and the need for Indigenous leadership in protecting watersheds. The event highlighted the importance of centering Indigenous knowledge, strengthening collaboration, advancing legal mechanisms, supporting youth leadership, and restoring ecosystems through traditional practices. Participants committed to partnerships, expanding working groups, developing resources, supporting restoration projects, and preparing for future exchanges. Urgent climate ambition is needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, stressing the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources through government policies and international cooperation, with potential benefits including job creation and improved public health.

    https://www.ienearth.org/perspectives-from-the-sacred-waters-gathering/

  • Cropped 1 July 2026: Heatwave scorches Europe | UK 2050 farm plan | What’s next for the High Seas Treaty

    Climate solutions experts need to address the significant impacts of record-breaking heatwaves on agriculture, such as livestock and crop losses, and the need for increased resilience in food production. The European parliament's approval of rules for gene-edited plants and consideration of changes in methane emissions measurement are key steps in combating climate change. Protecting and managing the high seas, with a focus on creating marine protected areas, is crucial for mitigating climate impacts, especially in African states. New science shows the long-term loss of global plant and animal species due to oil crop cultivation, highlighting the importance of addressing local realities and inequalities in climate-smart agriculture. Preparation for upcoming events like the global conference on "smart farming" and the launch of the "state of food security and nutrition in the world" report are essential for effective climate solutions implementation.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/cropped-1-july-2026-heatwave-scorches-europe-uk-2050-farm-plan-whats-next-for-the-high-seas-treaty/

  • TriplePundit • Rooted in Nature: How Three CPG Companies Are Scaling Regenerative Practices

    Climate solutions experts are focusing on innovative strategies to combat climate change, such as renewable energy sources, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable agriculture practices. These experts are advocating for policies that prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals is crucial in implementing these solutions on a global scale. The urgency of addressing climate change is underscored by the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the impact on vulnerable communities. By prioritizing climate solutions, experts believe that we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/pg-oatly-lundberg-family-farms-regenerative-agriculture/

  • Virginia defines agrivoltaics, expanding opportunities for solar

    Virginia recently signed a bill defining agrivoltaics as the co-location of agriculture and solar energy generation on the same land, aiming to expand distributed generation and revitalize fallow farmland. The state's first crop-based agrivoltaics project generated 130% of the farm's energy needs. Projects in Virginia must prioritize agricultural productivity, integrate renewable energy generation, and allow for flexibility to adapt to market conditions. Efforts are being made to revitalize abandoned cropland through grazing projects, with proposed legislation to create a stakeholder advisory panel ensuring meaningful partnerships between the agricultural and solar communities. The goal is to drive economic growth while preserving farmland and incentivizing solar development on brownfields and existing structures.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/virginia-defines-agrivoltaics-expanding-opportunities-for-solar/823983/

  • Press Release: Rainforest leaders say we can end climate crisis, as UK experiences hottest June on record

    Rainforest leaders are urging stronger action on climate change by protecting tropical rainforests and funding Indigenous peoples, as evidence shows that Indigenous-managed territories have lower deforestation rates and prevent large emissions increases in the Amazon. They are calling on the UK to deliver more International Climate Finance directly to Indigenous communities, as Indigenous peoples are proven to be the most effective forest protectors but have received less than 1% of climate finance. The reduction in the UK's International Climate Finance will impact efforts to fight climate change abroad, with significant tree cover loss in the Amazon. Direct payments to Indigenous Peoples are being called for as part of climate finance efforts, supported by organizations like Cool Earth, Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, and NGO Forest Coalition.

    https://www.coolearth.org/news/press-release-rainforest-leaders-say-we-can-end-climate-crisis/