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Plant-based Product Champions Look to COP29 and Future Policy Discussions
Climate policy leaders from around the world are preparing for the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, including leaders in the global ag bioeconomy.
The Plant Based Products Council, a leading organization advocating for the transition to a circular economy, hosted a Speaker Series event on Oct. 24 to discuss the upcoming COP29 event and gather perspectives from across the biobased products value chain. Moderated by Jamaica Gayle, PBPC’s Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, the conversation included remarks from Olutayo Akingbe, a climate adviser for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, George Soto, Sustainable Development Director for Braskem, and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser.
Olutayo Akingbe
Climate Advisor, USDA FAS
Jorge Soto
Sustainable Development Director, Braskem
Ray Gaesser
Iowa farmer
Jamaica Gayle
Sr. Director of Sustainability & Environmental Affairs, PBPC
Why COP Matters Across the Agricultural Value Chain
One of the recurring themes of the conversation was the importance of COP for stakeholders across agriculture, from farmers to biobased manufacturers. Global climate policies directly impact agricultural production, pricing, and the practices required to meet environmental standards. For Gaesser, COP represents a valuable opportunity for producers to share their commitment to sustainability and learn about best practices. Soto added that public policy and corporate involvement are crucial for scaling solutions, and COP provides a venue to discuss targets and policies that can stimulate sustainable innovations in production and energy use.
“We need public policies at the local level and global level,” Soto said. “So this is why we are engaging in this discussion at the local level and global level.”
Agriculture and Misconceptions at COP
Gaesser highlighted the transformation in agriculture’s image at COP since he began attending in 2019; now, COP attendees increasingly recognize agriculture’s efforts to innovate and contribute to climate solutions. There is a need for ongoing education about agriculture.
“Initially, agriculture was viewed as a primary cause of climate change,” Gaesser said, “but now we see a shift as we emphasize that farmers care about the environment.”
Some of USDA’s initiatives, including the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) and programs under the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to support and reward farmers who engage in climate-friendly practices, reinforcing agriculture’s role as a solution. Akingbe noted that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be attending COP29 and be actively involved in discussions with agriculture leaders from around the world, taking with him a message that supports the sustainability practices being voluntarily deployed on farms across America.
“Many climate best practices in agriculture deliver not just mitigation or adaptation, but a whole slew of environmental and social benefits for biodiversity, food security, water management, and more,” she said.
Many climate best practices in agriculture deliver not just mitigation or adaptation, but a whole slew of environmental and social benefits for biodiversity, food security, water management, and more.
Bioeconomy: A Rising Focus in COP Discussions
The ag bioeconomy — a sustainable economic system built on renewable resources like crops and organic waste — is an increasing topic of discussion during COP side events, and it’s projected to gain even more attention in upcoming years. As Gayle noted, bio-based products are an important alternative to fossil fuels. Sustainable initiatives, including those noted from Braskem, demonstrate how bio-based products not only reduce emissions but also have a net positive impact on atmospheric CO₂ levels.
Looking ahead, COP30 in Brazil is expected to prominently highlight the ag bioeconomy. For the industry, a key goal will be to showcase the benefits of agriculture’s transition toward sustainable practices that minimize emissions and maximize circularity in product use. Discussions leading up to COP30 are also expected to encourage countries to include agriculture in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), setting climate goals in alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement.
The expanding focus at COP and next year’s event in Brazil offer a unique chance to redefine agriculture’s role, paving the way for sustainable practices that meet both global needs and climate goals. The future of climate action in agriculture is promising, with COP providing the platform to share, educate, innovate, and lead in climate solutions.
Advice for First-Time COP Attendees
For those attending COP for the first time, Gaesser and Soto emphasized the importance of engaging actively. “Be involved, attend pavilions, and visit the side events to share your story,” advised Gaesser. Soto suggested keeping an open mind to opportunities, noting climate action “is a global issue. There’s room for innovation at every level, and COP is the place to showcase new solutions.”
PBPC is grateful to Olutayo, Jorge, and Ray for joining and sharing their insights. We look forward to hearing from more industry experts and innovators at future PBPC Speaker Series events.
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