More than 300 Big Agricultural Lobbyists Took Part in Cop30, an Analysis Found

According to a recent study, almost 300 lobbyists from the industrial agricultural sector attended this year's UN climate negotiations in the Brazilian Amazon, where the sector is the main source of deforestation.

The number of lobbyists for industrial cattle farming, commodity grains, and pesticides rose by 14% from last year, outnumbering the Canadian delegation of 220 delegates at Cop30 in Belém, as reported by a joint investigation by DeSmog and the Guardian.

One in four major agriculture lobbyists at Cop30 are part of official country delegations, with six having privileged access to UN negotiations focused on developing ambitious climate policies.

A Synopsis of Industry Representation & Policy Results

Agriculture contributes 25% to 30% of global emissions, necessitating major adjustments in food production and consumption to meet Paris Agreement targets. Cattle ranching is a primary driver of Amazon deforestation, followed by industrial soy production.

By 2050, the Amazon rainforest may reach a critical tipping point due to water stress, land clearance, and climate change.

Moreover, the revelations indicate rising frustration over unrestricted access granted to corporations that benefit from reliance on fossil fuels and the destruction of crucial ecosystems for climate mitigation.

Recent climate summits were commended by the industrialised food sector for avoiding binding emission targets, despite warnings from a 2020 study about potential setbacks in meeting global heating limits.

Notably, the meat and dairy industries had significant representation, with 72 delegates among 302, contrasting with Jamaica's 39 as it recovers from climate change-related Hurricane Melissa. India sent 87 negotiators to address its climate issues.

According to Friends of the Earth US, emissions from the 45 largest meat and dairy companies match those of Saudi Arabia, with JBS alone responsible for 24% of those emissions.

At Cop30, JBS has eight lobbyists, including CEO Gilberto Tomazoni. Agrochemicals have 60 delegates, and biofuels have 38, marking a 138% increase since last year. Bayer leads with 19 lobbyists, while Nestlé has nine.

Most synthetic fertilisers from fossil fuels emit nitrous oxide, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from industrial agriculture. Lidy Nacpil of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development highlights that this dominance hinders climate action.

While food issues are sidelined in negotiations, topics like biofuels from crops (e.g., corn and soy) are relevant, as Brazil seeks to increase biofuel use, claiming it as green energy. However, research suggests biofuels may generate 16% more emissions than fossil fuels due to monocrop farming practices.

Analysing Corporate Interests' Impact on Agriculture

Climate finance is crucial, with major agricultural polluters, who are already substantial recipients of public subsidies, preparing to obtain significant portions of these funds.

The analysis highlights the UNFCCC's provisional list of 56,000 Cop30 delegates, which includes representatives from major sectors such as meat, dairy, and biofuels, along with trade groups and farmer unions aligned with corporate interests.

Brazilian National Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CAN) supports anti-environmental legislation that limits Indigenous land rights and challenges the Amazon soy moratorium to combat deforestation.

The U.S. Meat Institute, representing 350 companies that produce 95% of U.S. meat and poultry, opposes regulations on emissions disclosure and dietary guidelines aimed at reducing red meat consumption.

From 2019 to 2023, agribusiness invested over $500 million in lobbying Congress, enhancing their Cop30 presence by 71% compared to Cop27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, though attendance was lower than at Cop28 in Dubai. Bayer emphasised the importance of transparency and collective action for addressing the climate crisis.

Ultimately, JBS highlighted its focus on improving farm productivity, food system efficiency, and reducing food loss and waste. Other stakeholders such as Nestlé, CNA, and the Meat Institute, along with the Brazilian Cop30 presidency and UNFCCC, did not provide comments.

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