At the COP30 climate conference in Belém, FiBL underscores that agriculture must play a central role in addressing the climate crisis. Organic and agroecological approaches—such as humus formation, improved fertiliser management, agroforestry and adapted herd management—offer concrete pathways to strengthen climate resilience worldwide.

FiBL presented three research examples at its online COP30 side event, featuring results from carbon farming in Switzerland, agroforestry in the Sahel (Mali and Senegal), and emission reduction strategies in the Swiss dairy sector. This contribution brings Swiss and international research directly into global climate discussions.

The Research Partnership Grant (RPG) supports Swiss-based researchers in launching joint projects with partners from nine South Asian countries. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions and borders, the RPG enables teams to test innovative ideas, gather preliminary data, and lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation.

What if food were a publicly shared good rather than a commodity? This discussion with Dr. Jose Luis Vivero Pol (Université de Louvain) and Dr. Johanna Herrigel (Biovision) examines “food as a commons” as an alternative to market-driven food systems. The event explores implications for sustainability, democracy, and global equity.

In FiBL’s Voices on Climate series, Helmy Abouleish, CEO of Sekem Holding and president of Demeter International, explains how biodynamic agriculture in Egypt enhances resilience to climate change. He highlights how living soils, composting, agroforestry, and renewable energy help reduce water use, store carbon, and secure farmers’ livelihoods in arid environments. Sekem’s long-standing work demonstrates how agroecological practices can drive sustainable development in the Global South.

This conceptual paper compares three overarching frameworks used to analyze agri-food systems: multifunctionality, ecosystem services, and the just transition approach. The authors argue that while the first two concepts have been useful for recognizing agriculture’s multiple functions and environmental contributions, they fall short of addressing systemic social and ecological challenges. The “just transition” framework is proposed as a more comprehensive alternative that integrates justice, sustainability, and governance dimensions, offering pathways for transformative policy innovations toward equitable and sustainable food systems.