Climate activists protested against agribusiness lobbyists at the COP30 summit, highlighting the detrimental impact of industrial agriculture on the environment. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has been chosen to host COP32, while the competition for COP31 continues between Australia and Turkey.

Protests at COP30
On the opening night of COP30, climate campaigners from the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice confronted agribusiness representatives at the AgriZone, a designated area sponsored by corporations such as Nestlé and Bayer. The protestors criticized Brazil for allowing industrial agriculture companies to participate in the summit, arguing that these practices contribute significantly to deforestation in the Amazon and account for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Erika Xananine Calvillo Ramirez, a member of the Stop Financing Factory Farming Coalition, emphasized the need for climate spaces to reject the influence of extractive industries and their role in exacerbating environmental crises.

Concerns Over Lobbying
The presence of lobbyists at COP summits has surged in recent years, with over 5,000 fossil fuel lobbyists reportedly attending since COP26 in Glasgow. Activists expressed concern that the AgriZone serves as a platform for agribusinesses to greenwash their image, diverting attention from their environmental impact. Andrea Echeverri of the Global Forest Coalition described the AgriZone as a façade, criticizing the agricultural model that prioritizes profit over food security and sustainability.

Ethiopia Selected for COP32
In a significant development during the summit, it was announced that Ethiopia will host COP32 in Addis Ababa. André Corrêa do Lago, the COP30 president, stated that countries have agreed in principle to this decision, which is expected to be formally confirmed soon. This selection marks a notable achievement for Ethiopia, which launched its bid in September and was unanimously chosen by the Bureau of African Countries, despite competing proposals from Nigeria.

Competition for COP31
As Ethiopia prepares for COP32, the race for COP31 is heating up, with Australia and Turkey vying to host the 2026 summit. Australia is partnering with Pacific Island nations, known for their vulnerability to climate change, to bolster its bid. The decision on the host for COP31 is yet to be finalized, but it is anticipated to occur soon.

Wrap-up
The protests at COP30 underscore the ongoing tension between climate activists and corporate interests, particularly in the agribusiness sector. As the world looks ahead to future climate summits, the decisions made at COP30, including the selection of Ethiopia for COP32, will shape the global response to climate change and the role of industrial agriculture in environmental degradation.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team