COP30 in Brazil A Farmer’s Perspective on Climate, Cattle, and Change

Factory farming is in the spotlight, but there’s more to the animal agriculture story.

Regenerative livestock farming and intensive feedlot systems are worlds apart. It is essential to recognise the difference when discussing the future of food and climate solutions.

Attention is on Brazil this week as Belém, a city in the heart of the Amazon, hosts COP30 which is the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. If you have ever wondered what these climate summits are really about, here is a straightforward look at what is happening, who attends, and why COP30 is especially significant this year.

COP30 stands for the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is an annual gathering where nearly every country on earth is represented, bringing together world leaders, government negotiators, scientists, business leaders, NGOs, activists, and journalists. The aim is simple in theory but complex in practice. The goal is to negotiate and advance global action on climate change. Each year, the conference builds on previous agreements like the Paris Agreement and tries to push the world closer to meaningful solutions.

This year’s location in the Amazon is no accident. Forest protection is expected to be front and centre with Brazil’s leadership under the spotlight. The Amazon is not only a symbol of biodiversity but also a critical buffer against climate change. Hosting COP30 here sends a strong message about the importance of protecting rainforests and supporting communities who live there.

What actually happens at COP30

The conference runs from November 10 to 21 and is packed with official negotiations, thematic days covering over 30 climate topics, and countless side events. There are forums for local leaders, youth, and Indigenous voices to contribute alongside the main negotiations. Topics on the agenda include climate finance, support for regions most vulnerable to climate change, and accelerating the global transition away from fossil fuels.

Why does COP30 matter

The outcomes from these talks can shape international climate policy, unlock funding for adaptation and mitigation, and influence national climate plans for years to come. This is where high level pledges are made, alliances are formed, and sometimes real progress happens or at times stalls.

One of the biggest issues I am watching at COP30 is how animal agriculture is discussed and more importantly who gets to shape the narrative. I sit very much on the fence with the climate agenda. My real struggle is that all animal agriculture tends to get branded with the same brush, most often judged by the environmental impact of factory farming. With major industry leaders in intensive poultry and livestock production attending the conference, I am expecting to see livestock farming made the scapegoat again.

There is no doubt that industrial animal agriculture has a significant climate footprint. Deforestation in the Amazon for example is driven in part by industrial livestock and feed production. NGO’s like Compassion in World Farming are at COP30 this week, calling for urgent action to transform our food system and reduce emissions from factory farming. They are sharing stories from Brazilian farmers on the frontlines pushing for governments to include reductions in industrial livestock emissions in their new national climate plans.

But what often gets lost in these debates is the difference between factory farming and regenerative, nature friendly farming. I believe the future of farming lies in systems where livestock are integrated into rotational, regenerative approaches. These systems build soil health, support biodiversity, and provide real solutions for both climate and food security. When all animal agriculture is painted as the problem, we risk losing sight of the potential for positive change.

As more details emerge from COP30, especially around how livestock and food systems are discussed in negotiations and side events, I will be dissecting these issues for paid subscribers. I want to dig into how regenerative livestock farming is or is not being represented and what this means for farmers, rural communities, and the future of food.

If there is a particular issue or announcement you want me to cover, let me know in the comments or reply to this post. And if you find this kind of coverage helpful, please consider subscribing for more updates on farming, and rural resilience.