Agroecology is emerging as a vital solution for integrating climate action and sustainable agriculture, enabling countries to access much-needed climate finance. As nations revise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP30, agroecological policies can support climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and food security.

At COP29 in Baku, discussions emphasized the role of agroecology in building resilient food systems. These systems are nature-positive and less carbon-intensive, as noted by Oliver Oliveros of the Agroecology Coalition. He highlighted how practices like reducing deforestation, optimizing fertilizer use, and promoting sustainable land management can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions while addressing vulnerabilities like soil degradation and volatile weather patterns.

Africa leads the charge, with countries such as Kenya and Tanzania adopting national agroecological strategies. Kenya's revised NDC 3.0 includes agroecological practices to achieve the “triple wins” of higher productivity, community resilience, and lower emissions. Similarly, Latin America and Asia have joined the movement, with ASEAN developing guidelines to scale agroecological practices regionally.

Financial support is crucial for scaling these initiatives. Multilateral organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank are aligning their programs to fund sustainable agricultural transitions. Vietnam’s Mekong Delta serves as a model, where $350 million in funding will decarbonize rice farming across one million hectares, reducing CO2 emissions by 10 million tonnes. Kenya’s Funding Locally-Led Climate Action program further showcases how decentralized funding mechanisms can support agroecological adoption at local levels.

Barriers remain, particularly for small-scale farmers who contribute significantly to global food production yet receive minimal climate finance. Advocates like Gertrude Kenyangi stress the need to channel funds towards women, who constitute a majority of Africa’s agricultural workforce, ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.

Repurposing subsidies and developing supportive policy frameworks can bridge funding gaps. For instance, bio-inputs could replace chemical fertilizers under existing subsidy programs, as proposed by experts at COP29. Additionally, quality standards and market incentives for sustainable produce can motivate smallholders to adopt agroecology.

By embedding agroecology into NDCs, governments can unlock climate finance while addressing food security and climate adaptation goals. As momentum builds globally, agroecology presents an actionable pathway for transforming food systems in the face of climate change.