October 29, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
The United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is calling on global leaders at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia, to prioritize small-scale farmers in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change.
IFAD emphasizes that these farmers are crucial in sustainably growing diverse crops for local and global consumption, particularly for the 3 billion people who cannot afford a healthy diet.
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, transforming agri-food systems to become more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly is essential.
“Addressing this challenge requires adopting agroecological practices and promoting agrobiodiversity.
“IFAD recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and climate crises, and we need holistic solutions to tackle both.” said Oliver Page, IFAD’s Climate Change and Environmental Specialist.
Following the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, IFAD has committed to delivering a people-focused approach, balancing nature, livelihoods, and food security. The organization has adopted a biodiversity strategy to incorporate protection, sustainable use, and promotion of biodiversity in its operations.
Biodiversity is vital to sustainable agri-food systems, supporting ecosystem services like water purification and nutrient cycling, valued at $125 trillion annually. However, biodiversity loss weakens ecosystems, threatening life support.
Small-scale farmers, Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, and value chain partners in developing countries can preserve biodiversity but require more support through direct access to financing. Currently, they receive less than 1% of global climate finance.
IFAD is scaling up partnerships with financing entities, including the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund, to address the $700 billion per year biodiversity finance gap.
IFAD aims to ensure sustainable food systems and address the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.
