Driving AgriFood Tech action post-COP29: cross-industry learnings on climate resilience and food security  

This year’s COP29 reinforced a clear message: resilient and secure food systems are no longer optional—they're essential. For businesses across the agrifood value chain, the challenge is twofold: embrace sustainability while staying profitable. 

This article dives into how agrifood businesses can overcome these hurdles by learning from other industries like EVs, fintech, renewable energy, and healthcare. By adopting proven innovations—digital platforms, decentralized energy solutions, predictive technologies, and scalable business models—companies can align with global sustainability goals and unlock growth opportunities.  
The goal? A profitable, responsible, and climate-resilient food system. 

READING TIME: 7-10 MINUTES

At COP28 in Dubai, 159 nations committed to transforming agriculture with the UAE Declaration. COP29 built on this momentum with the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers and the operationalization launch of the Sharm el-Sheikh Online Portal. The stage is set for further progress at COP30 in Brazil. 

It all comes down to two things, so let’s break it down –  

• Agriculture and food security refers to ensuring the sustainable availability, access, and stability of nutritious food for all, while balancing environmental and economic imperatives. 

• A climate-resilient agrifood system—as the FAO emphasizes—requires a transformation that is more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. This shift is vital not only to achieving the Paris Agreement and SDGs but also to safeguarding long-term economic growth.  

For the private sector, these goals present not just challenges but opportunities. Companies across the agrifood value chain can leverage cross-industry insights to innovate, ensure profitability, and lead the way in building a more resilient and sustainable future. 

Learnings from parallel industries: A framework for action 

How does this work in practice: Examples from industry 

Driving customer adoption based on the Electric Vehicles sector 

Indigo Agriculture has developed a carbon credit program incentivizing farmers to adopt regenerative practices, e.g., cover cropping and reduced tillage. By measuring and verifying the carbon sequestered in soils, Indigo generates carbon credits, sold to companies to offset their emissions. This model mirrors the EV sector's approach of creating supportive ecosystems to drive adoption. Companies like Shopify, Barclays, JPMorgan Chase, and IBM have committed to purchasing these credits, providing farmers with additional income streams. 

Another example is based on a case study in Bangladesh during a period of rapid growth in biopesticide and bio-fertilizer sales. Use of such alternatives to synthetic pesticides helped improve yields of farmers by ~13% while driving growth in revenues for producers. The key to success was helping farmers understand the measurable KPIs set for improvement and support in form of public incentives to adopt biopesticides 

Data-driven Ecosystems from the Fintech world 

Regrow, provides a platform using satellite data, machine learning, and soil modeling to assess the carbon footprint of agricultural supply chains. The startup collaborates with e.g., PepsiCo, General Mills, and Cargill. This technology enables companies to monitor and report on sustainability metrics, facilitating the adoption of climate-resilient practices across the value chain.  

Embracing Decentralization from the Energy Sector 

ADM integrated solar energy projects with agricultural operations by installing solar panels above crops. They generate renewable energy while maintaining agricultural productivity.  

An example start-up in the space is Brite Solar, developing nanomaterials for solar glass applications in agriculture to facilitate sustainable food supply. It allows for dual use of land for both agricultural production and solar energy production, helping farms offset the electricity cost 

Smart Personalization from the Healthcare Sector 

Nestlé has committed ~$1.4 billion (CHF 1.2 billion) to regenerative agriculture initiatives, to reduce emissions and promote sustainable farming practices. By working directly with farmers to implement tailored solutions, Nestlé enhances the resilience of its supply chain, reflecting healthcare's move towards personalized, data-driven approaches 

How it comes together 

To succeed in addressing food security and climate resilience while maintaining profitability, companies must: 

1. Strategically combine insights: Adapt solutions from other industries to fit your company’s unique capabilities and goals. 

2. Focus on scalable solutions: Prioritize modular, cost-effective innovations with clear stakeholder benefits parallel to investing in long term breakthrough innovation. 

3. Adopt a triple North Star approach: Align your efforts toward growth, profitability, and sustainability. 

By learning from sectors like renewable energy, fintech, healthcare, and EVs, agrifood businesses can expand smart agriculture offerings, overcome adoption challenges, and thrive in a transforming market. 

Partner with BGP 

Ready to explore diversification opportunities and alternative business models to include climate resilience and security of agrifood systems in your strategy?  

Bright Green Partners specializes in guiding companies through this transition. With deep expertise across the AgriFood tech value chain, we can help you position your business as a leader in sustainable, climate-resilient food systems.  

Schedule a consultation with our Managing Partner, Floor Buitelaar, to explore how we can support your move toward a profitable, responsible, and resilient food production system.