Farmers Seek Climate Finance at COP29

Esther Penunia, secretary-general of the Asian Farmers Association, highlighted the urgent need for climate finance directed towards small farmers at the UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Despite agriculture's significant contribution to global food security, less than 1% of climate finance currently supports small farmers, who are increasingly affected by extreme weather patterns due to climate change. Penunia emphasized that meaningful investments are essential for farmers to adapt to changing conditions, particularly in the Global South, where many farmers rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The disparity between the estimated $1 trillion needed for climate finance and the amount offered by wealthier nations poses a significant challenge. Advocates call for a shift in funding priorities to address the needs of smallholder farmers, who produce over a third of the world’s food but receive minimal financial support. As discussions around climate finance continue, the focus remains on ensuring that agricultural adaptation receives the attention and funding it desperately needs.