COP30 Report Reveals Critical Funding Gaps Undermining Global Climate and Agrifood Goals

Belém, Brazil – A new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights a pressing issue: developing countries face big challenges in adapting their agrifood systems to climate change. The report, titled Agrifood Systems in National Adaptation Plans, An Analysis, was unveiled during the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). It’s the first thorough assessment of how these countries are addressing agrifood challenges in their climate strategies.

Based on analyses from 64 developing nations, the report sheds light on how agrifood systems are woven into climate action plans. It examines risks, priorities, financing needs, and implementation obstacles while paying attention to gender equality and social impacts.

Here’s what the report reveals:

• Agrifood systems are recognized as essential in nearly all developing countries’ climate plans, with 97% reporting significant climate impacts on various agricultural sectors.
• However, there’s a disconnect between planning and action: only 16% of measures taken actually address the climate threats, and a mere 14% focus on vulnerable groups like women and smallholder farmers.
• Evidence-based strategies are lacking: just one-third of plans incorporate climate risk assessments.
• Barriers such as limited technical skills, weak coordination, and insufficient funding hinder progress. Nearly half of countries report these challenges.
• Funding is inadequate; while agrifood systems need over half of the adaptation finance, they only receive about 20% of it.
• Loss and damage are already visible, particularly in agrifood systems, which suffer more than any other sector.

Kaveh Zahedi, Director of FAO’s Office of Climate Change, highlights the urgent need for support. “Countries know agrifood systems are crucial for resisting climate extremes, but proper backing is still lacking.” The FAO is focused on bridging these financial and capacity gaps to safeguard food security.

Interestingly, a recent survey found that only 30% of global citizens believe their government is adequately addressing climate change impacts on food systems. This sentiment underscores a broader concern that those directly involved in agriculture, particularly vulnerable groups, feel their needs are overlooked.

The FAO supports the formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) through technical expertise and financial mobilization. For instance, in Uganda, the FAO’s SCALA initiative helps localize the country’s NAP using advanced climate models and community input. Similar efforts in Egypt and Colombia show promising approaches to integrating local contexts into national strategies.

At the grassroots level, the FAO is also empowering rural communities, especially women farmers, to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices. This approach not only strengthens livelihoods but also enhances nutrition.

The path forward involves collective effort. By prioritizing finance and capacity building, we can leverage agrifood systems to take bold, inclusive action against climate change.

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