Climate Change Solutions Update

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

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

  • A just agricultural transition takes root in Brazil

    Agroforestry is seen as a rare climate solution that can support farmers and the environment, offering a way to decarbonize agriculture without harming rural communities. Belterra, a Brazilian agroforestry enterprise, supports farmers like Zé Maria, proving that profitable and ecologically sustainable family farms are possible in the Amazon. The article emphasizes the potential of agroforestry as a solution, which can restore soil health, conserve water, support biodiversity, and sequester carbon. Large companies like Cargill and Amazon are partnering with Belterra to integrate agroforestry into their supply chains and climate strategies, highlighting the scalability and catalytic nature of these partnerships. It is crucial that agroforestry strengthens the rights and incomes of those on the ground to be part of a just transition towards a more sustainable future.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/01/30/a-just-agricultural-transition-takes-root-in-brazil/

  • Nigerian Businesses, RMI, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet Collaborate to Empower Women and Youth Through Renewable Technology

    The Energising Women & Youth in Agri-Food Systems Programme (EWAS) in Nigeria, a collaboration between local businesses, RMI, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, aims to empower women and youth through solar-powered technology in the agricultural sector. By providing affordable finance, training, and commercial opportunities, the program seeks to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve incomes for smallholder farmers. With women and youth making up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and many communities lacking access to reliable power, solar-powered productive use of energy (PUE) technologies offer a pathway to inclusive growth and economic development. The initiative builds on the success of the Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP) and will support projects led by Nigerian enterprises deploying PUE solutions in rural and peri-urban communities. A total of 300 solar-powered refrigeration units with lithium-ion batteries are being integrated in Nigeria to help women and youth preserve perishable goods and stabilize income, while also democratizing access to solar energy and improving product quality and market competitiveness for women agriculture entrepreneurs. The EWAS project, part of a broader three-year program led by the Global Energy Alliance and the Mastercard Foundation, aims to create dignified jobs, improve livelihoods, and reduce emissions in Nigeria's agriculture sector, ultimately working towards providing affordable, reliable, clean electricity to improve lives and accelerate green economic opportunities. Through partnerships and community engagement, the initiative aims to reach 1 billion people with clean electricity, prevent 4 billion tons of carbon emissions, and create or improve 150 million jobs, contributing to sustainable development and climate solutions in Nigeria.

    https://rmi.org/press-release/ewas-initiative-to-empower-women-and-youth-through-renewable-technology/

  • ‘Agrivoltaics is not just a land-sharing concept, but a systems-level solution to some of the world’s most pressing challenges’

    Researchers have conducted a multidimensional study on agrivoltaics, finding that it could add over 1,800 million tonnes to global crop yields annually and generate over $1 trillion in added global agricultural income. The study looked at the impact of agrivoltaics on sustainability, soil-crop productivity, socioeconomic resilience, solar power generation, spatial efficiency, and species. Agrivoltaics was seen as a systems-level solution to food insecurity, climate stress, land-use conflicts, and economic vulnerability. The study found that agrivoltaics could potentially increase global crop production by 1.8 billion tonnes annually, providing enough calories to feed over 2.1 billion people per year. This innovative approach combines solar energy production with agricultural practices, offering potential solutions for sustainable land use and renewable energy generation, highlighting the importance of exploring new methods like agrivoltaics to address climate change challenges and promote environmental sustainability.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/22/agrivoltaics-is-not-just-a-land-sharing-concept-but-as-a-systems-level-solution-to-some-of-the-worlds-most-pressing-challenges/

  • 20 Best Plants for Aquaponics

    Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, using nutrient-rich water from fish tanks to fertilize plants in a closed-loop system. Popular choices for aquaponic systems include lettuce, kale, spinach, tomatoes, watercress, radishes, carrots, strawberries, basil, mint, cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, sunflowers, and peppers. Each plant has specific requirements for nutrients, temperature, pH levels, and growing medium, with some plants like watercress and carrots needing special attention. It is important to choose the right fish species, such as tilapia and koi, to match the plants' needs. Aquaponics is not only efficient but also allows for the growth of a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, making it a promising climate solution for sustainable agriculture.

    https://www.treehugger.com/best-plants-for-aquaponics-5186557

  • At CES 2026, Limited Sustainability Presence Is Actually Its Biggest Win

    The 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a growing number of sustainable innovations, with sustainability being integrated into product design rather than treated as a standalone category. Key examples include Solarstic's moldable solar modules for electric vehicles, SolreBorn's mobile units for recovering raw materials from decommissioned solar panels, and WES-Tec Global's plastic waste conversion technology. Additionally, AI-driven solutions like Siemens x NVIDIA Industrial AI Operating System and SaeFarm AI Satellite Farm Monitor are reshaping industrial value chains and agricultural practices for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The deployment of Boston Dynamics Atlas Humanoid robots in manufacturing also highlights the potential for AI to improve operations and sustainability. However, the growing energy footprint of AI raises concerns about whether its efficiencies can outpace resource demands. The focus is on embedding sustainability into intelligent systems by pushing for energy transparency in AI, lifecycle thinking in system design, and ensuring efficiency gains are measurable, durable, and equitable, to avoid missing a second chance later.

    https://triplepundit.com/2026/ces-2026-sustainability/

  • 2025 end of year report – UK Health Alliance on Climate Change

    The 2025 end of year report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change highlights their advocacy work in promoting climate and health policies. Key achievements include the publication of a policy report on building a climate resilient health system, prioritizing plant-based and sustainably sourced food, and including carbon emission reduction targets in the ten-year health plan for England. The Alliance also advocated for a just transition to green energy, published policy priorities for COP30, and sent manifestos to party leaders in Scotland and Wales. The report emphasizes policy wins and progress made throughout the year, thanking members and partners for their support.

    https://ukhealthalliance.org/news-item/2025-end-of-year-report/

  • Brazil’s biodiversity pledge: Six key takeaways for nature and climate change

    Brazil has finally published its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) aimed at halting and reversing nature decline by 2030, with a focus on conserving 80% of the Amazon and eliminating deforestation in Brazilian ecosystems. The plan aligns actions on climate change and biodiversity loss, setting higher conservation goals than global targets and involving consultation with scientists, Indigenous peoples, and civil society members. Specific actions include recognizing and titling Indigenous lands, establishing ecological corridors, and implementing national strategies for ecosystem protection. Brazil's NBSAP also includes mechanisms such as biodiversity credits and a regulated carbon market to finance efforts to tackle nature loss, with a national low-carbon agriculture strategy in place to promote sustainability in the agricultural sector.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/brazils-biodiversity-pledge-six-key-takeaways-for-nature-and-climate-change/

  • Marine conservation must begin on land

    Secure coastal land rights are essential for sustainable ocean governance, as shown by examples from Fiji, Madagascar, and South Africa. Meaningful consultation with local communities is crucial for sustainable conservation efforts. Governments can pass and implement environmental impact assessment regulations that ensure community participation and access to information. The solution lies in recognizing and respecting secure tenure as the foundation of community-based management. Blue Ventures supports communities in advocating for their land rights and embedding tenure safeguards into policies related to development and marine conservation. Marine conservation begins on land, with communities that have secure land rights.

    https://blueventures.org/marine-conservation-must-begin-on-land/

  • 10 Years of Regeneration and Beyond

    Regeneration International celebrated a decade of collective action and growth in their partner network, reaching over 700 organizations. They held their 5th Annual People's Food Summit, reaching 10 million people worldwide to discuss reshaping food systems. The movement expanded initiatives in Africa and Latin America, promoting healthy soils and food sovereignty. The PELUM Network in Southern and Eastern Africa marked 30 years of transformative work in agroecology and indigenous knowledge. Regeneration International also announced a Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Agriculture in partnership with South Seas University. The Regeneration International Standard offers two certification pathways for farmers to transition to regenerative practices, focusing on principles, guidance, and continuous improvement. It prohibits synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, and other harmful inputs. By supporting farmers through practical transition pathways, the standard aims to drive a global shift towards agriculture that regenerates soils, ecosystems, and communities. This is crucial in a world facing climate crises and soil degradation, where soil health is becoming an urgent priority for sustainable food production and rural economies.

    https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=434990

  • Messages of Hope and Regeneration for 2021

    A new agave-based agroforestry and livestock management system in Mexico is showing potential to regenerate drylands and alleviate rural poverty, emphasizing the importance of regenerative agriculture in addressing the climate emergency. The system highlights the benefits of native plants in trapping carbon, the return of bison to the Rosebud Reservation, and soil health practices for boosting profits. The launch of the Global Alliance for Organic Districts, supported by Regeneration International, aims to promote regenerative agriculture practices globally to revitalize local economies, restore soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and mitigate climate change through individual donor funding.

    https://act.web-advocacy.net/page/25523/action/1