Industry experts to explore sustainable solutions for climate resilience in global agriculture at the COP29 conference in Baku.

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) continues to strengthen its role in advancing climate-smart agricultural practices on a global scale. Following its recent participation in the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show, where it was awarded observer status in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, IFPA is now set to contribute to pivotal discussions at the COP29 Conference.

This event, hosted from November 11 to November 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will bring together influential agricultural leaders, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, to address climate-smart agricultural innovations. Representing IFPA will be Tamara Muruetagoiena, Vice President of Sustainability.

Muruetagoiena has voiced concern over the challenges that climate change poses to the produce and floral sectors, citing the threats posed by increasingly extreme weather patterns.

“As we heard at the Global Show, the global produce and floral community faces very significant threats from climate change and extreme weather events,”

Reflecting on the past year’s developments, she emphasized the importance of agriculture’s incorporation into the UN’s climate plans, which now allows IFPA, through its observer status, to actively engage in climate discussions on behalf of its members.

On November 19, Muruetagoiena will join a COP29 panel to share insights on IFPA’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote carbon sequestration, and enhance the resilience of produce and floral industries to climate impacts.

A central effort highlighted in this endeavor is the Fresh Field Catalyst technology accelerator, a program that connects climate-smart technologies with global produce and floral businesses. This initiative aims to foster innovative, sustainable solutions within the agricultural sector.

The program’s next series of climate-smart field events is scheduled for early December in California, marking a further step toward strengthening environmentally-friendly practices in agriculture.

Additionally, IFPA’s commitment to sustainability has been reinforced by a USDA grant awarded to the IFPA Foundation for Fresh Produce. This funding aims to support the development of sustainable packaging and labeling solutions, underlining the organization’s ongoing dedication to reducing environmental impacts across its operations.

Beyond COP29, IFPA’s engagement in sustainability initiatives has been visible at other prominent events. For instance, Muruetagoiena recently participated in New York City’s Climate Week and the 2024 Fast Company Innovation Festival, where she addressed topics such as food waste, sustainability benchmarks, and the role of marketing in promoting sustainable choices to consumers.

In Muruetagoiena’s view, fostering consumer awareness is essential, as informed buyers can make choices that reflect their environmental values, creating a demand-driven shift toward sustainability.

Reflecting on these gatherings, Muruetagoiena emphasized the need for the industry’s active presence in shaping sustainability policies and practices. “It’s important for IFPA and our industry to have a presence at these critical gatherings around sustainability,” she stated. “Decisions are being made in the form of regulations, policies, and industry standards, and these will have real impact on how our industry does business across the world. It is critical that we are taking part in those discussions and ensuring our industry’s unique strengths and challenges are considered.”

Notably, during NYC Climate Week, discussions centered on regenerative agriculture and food waste. As noted in a statement by IFPA, regenerative agriculture is viewed as an effective climate solution and has gained considerable attention.

Defined by the organization’s Sustainability Council, regenerative agriculture is described as “a holistic farming approach that aims to restore and enhance the natural resilience of agroecosystems while supporting the long-term health and viability of agricultural businesses and communities. The foundation of this farming system is the integrated management of soil health, biodiversity, water resources, human health, and climate.”

IFPA’s participation in events such as COP29 and NYC Climate Week underscores its commitment to advancing sustainable practices in produce and floral sectors and its readiness to influence policy directions that will shape the future of global agriculture.

Through these engagements, IFPA seeks not only to support its industry but also to play a role in developing resilient, climate-adaptive agricultural systems that can meet the challenges of a changing global environment.