Bem vindo a estratégia de implementação e impulsionamento de projetos agropecuários sustentáveis.

"Land Restoration for Food Security"

Context:

The United Nations estimates that the global human population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and projections for the 2010–2050 period indicate that food demand will increase by up to 60%. The world remains far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, as global undernourishment has persisted at nearly the same level for three consecutive years after sharply increasing following the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 713 and 757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023—one in every eleven people worldwide, and one in five in Africa. In terms of economic access to nutritious food, updated and improved estimates indicate that more than one-third of the global population—approximately 2.8 billion people—could not afford a healthy diet in 2022.

This vulnerability is exacerbated by climate change, which negatively impacts agrifood systems.

Therefore, actions that promote mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in these systems are crucial to ensuring global food security, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, fostering technological innovation in the field, and supporting small farmers and rural communities.

Decision 3/CP.27 of the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work on Implementation of Climate Action in Agriculture and Food Security recognized the importance of safeguarding food security and eliminating hunger, as well as the particular vulnerability of food production systems to the adverse effects of climate change.

Negotiations within the framework of the Conference of the Parties (COP) demonstrate increasing concern among countries regarding the effects of climate change on agriculture. COP30, which will take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10–21, 2025, has an action agenda focused on agriculture and food systems. Event tracks, such as the “Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes,” emphasize the role of innovation and science in advancing these issues.

Restoring degraded lands is a key strategy to address these challenges, contributing to improved soil health, increased agricultural and livestock productivity, and food security while also generating environmental benefits such as mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, improving water resource management and carbon balance, and protecting biodiversity. Moreover, land restoration initiatives align the objectives of the three major UN conventions—Climate, Desertification, and Biodiversity—enhancing their collective impact.

Brazil has been a leader in these efforts, particularly through the ABC+ Plan (Low-Carbon Agriculture), which includes initiatives such as degraded pasture recovery, no-till farming, integrated systems, planted forests, bio-inputs, irrigated systems, animal waste management, and intensive cattle finishing. These systems, practices, products, and sustainable production processes contribute to emission reductions and carbon sequestration in both soil and agricultural production.

In its first decade of implementation, the ABC Plan restored approximately 35 million hectares of degraded pastures and promoted sustainable practices on over 50 million hectares. By 2030, its targets have been significantly expanded: ABC+ aims to restore 72 million hectares by incorporating new technologies and strengthening the resilience of production systems. After surpassing the targets set for its first phase (2010–2020) by exceeding physical goals by 52% and greenhouse gas mitigation targets by 19%—mitigating 193.67 million Mg CO2 eq—the ABC+ Plan increased its ambition fivefold, setting a new mitigation goal of 1.076 Mg CO2 eq for the 2020–2030 period.

COP30 presents an opportunity for Brazil and other Parties to advance sustainable development and climate action, ensuring the achievement of the objectives and principles of the Paris Agreement.

Brazil’s Role: Public Policies and Strategic Initiatives

Brazil has implemented a series of public policies aligning agricultural production with environmental conservation, notably through the ABC+ Plan and the National Program for the Conversion of Degraded Pastures (PNCPD).

ABC+ Plan (Low-Carbon Agriculture)

The ABC+ Plan is a national strategy to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. Its goals include:

• Expansion of No-Till Farming: Reducing carbon emissions and improving soil quality.
• Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (ILPF): Promoting production diversification and increasing climate resilience.
• Biological Nitrogen Fixation: Reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.
• Degraded Pasture Recovery: Increasing productivity and sequestering carbon.

By 2030, the plan aims to mitigate over 1 billion tons of CO2 equivalent, reinforcing Brazil’s role in combating climate change.

National Program for the Conversion of Degraded Pastures (PNCPD)

The PNCPD aims to restore millions of hectares of degraded pastures, transforming these areas into productive and sustainable soils. Its objectives include:

• Restoring 30 million hectares by 2030, reducing deforestation pressure.
• Promoting sustainable land management technologies, such as cover cropping and agroforestry systems.
• Increasing productivity with lower pressure on agricultural frontiers, contributing to biodiversity conservation.

Success Stories in Regenerative Agriculture in Brazil

Brazil has numerous successful initiatives in regenerative agriculture that can be highlighted at COP30 as models for replication worldwide.

Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (ILPF) in the Cerrado

The Cerrado region has seen significant expansion of ILPF systems, integrating grain, livestock, and timber production in the same area. These systems not only increase productivity but also contribute to soil conservation, improved water quality, and biodiversity enhancement.

Private Sector Investments in Regenerative Agriculture

The private sector has also played a crucial role in promoting regenerative agriculture in Brazil. Agricultural companies are investing in sustainable practices to meet the growing demands of international markets for traceability and environmental responsibility. These investments have driven the adoption of innovative technologies and the dissemination of best agricultural practices.

Action Agenda:

The action agenda for COP30, as planned by the Ministry of Agriculture, includes strategic initiatives that emphasize the importance of restoring degraded lands for food security and environmental conservation. “Land Restoration for Food Security” is one of the key pillars of this agenda, aligning efforts to combat desertification, protect biodiversity, and enhance climate adaptation.

Key elements of this agenda include:

• Multilateral Funds: Support for initiatives such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), which finance restoration and food security projects.
• Private Investments: Promotion of programs like the “Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes” (AARL), which fosters regenerative landscapes with private sector participation.
• Government Investments: Strengthening national programs such as the PNCPD, which complements the ABC+ Plan in restoring degraded areas.
• Investment Attraction Platform: Creation of mechanisms to facilitate resource mobilization for restoration projects, focusing on technological innovation and public-private partnerships.

Given the importance of this issue and the opportunity presented by COP30, we aim to:

• Generate climate and nature co-benefits, aligning with the three UN Conventions (Climate, Desertification, and Biodiversity) to maximize the positive impacts of restoration actions.
• Mobilize Resources: Secure international funding and encourage private sector participation in land restoration projects.
• Strengthen International Cooperation: Establish strategic partnerships with other countries and international organizations to share knowledge and best practices.
• Promote Innovation and Technology: Encourage the use and transfer of sustainable technologies and scientific research to optimize restoration processes and enhance agricultural productivity.
• Monitor and Evaluate Results: Implement monitoring systems to assess the impact of actions and adjust strategies as needed.

The “Land Restoration for Food Security” agenda will significantly contribute to food security while strengthening Brazil’s position as a global leader in sustainable agricultural production linked to environmental preservation.