At the Russian side event at COP29 in Baku, titled “Russia’s Contribution to Strengthening Global Food Security,” Sergey Tverdokhleb, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Climate Policy and Carbon Regulation of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, delivered a compelling argument on the close link between the climate crisis and global food security.
The event brought together key officials and leaders from various industries in Russia and several international participants to discuss some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Tverdokhleb emphasized that, on the one hand, climate change directly impacts agricultural productivity and food security. On the other hand, the unintended consequences of emerging climate regulations also affect food systems worldwide.
“The impact of floods, droughts, and other climate-related disasters directly reduces crop yields in many countries,” he said. “Last month, several southern African countries declared a state of national emergency due to the loss of grain and livestock, leaving over 10 million people in acute hunger.”
At the same time, carbon regulation—like other unilateral trade restrictions—is beginning to have both direct and indirect effects on global food security. “A classic example is the European cross-border ‘carbon tax,’ which will increase fertilizer prices and reduce revenues for the budgets of developing countries, making it even harder for them to finance subsidies for farmers and consumers,” Tverdokhleb warned.
This perspective echoes an idea first expressed by Andrey Melnichenko, the Chair of the RSPP Committee on Climate Policy and Carbon Regulation. In a 2022 interview with Bloomberg, Melnichenko recognized that the impact of sanctions on food security is a critical issue requiring immediate attention. He noted, “Projected fertilizer shipments lost to sanctions over 12 months would grow enough grain to feed more than 200 million people.”
On a positive note, Sergey Tverdokhleb highlighted the enormous potential of agricultural climate projects to address both emission reduction and food security challenges. “Nature-based projects in agriculture could reduce or offset at least 35–40% of global agricultural emissions. This dual benefit must be a cornerstone of international climate efforts,” he added.
Additionally, several speakers emphasized the significant contribution of Russia’s food and fertilizer exports to countries in the Global South. Fertilizer exports from Russia rose by 25% in the past year, enhancing food security for 1.2 billion people. “Russian fertilizers provide 22% of the nutrients used by farmers in these regions, underscoring their critical role,” Tverdokhleb noted.
Source: COP29 Media
