The fight against climate change and the challenge of feeding the world’s population are not mutually exclusive goals. In fact, they can and must be tackled together. This was the central message from JBS Global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni at the Brazil-US Climate Impact Summit 2024. Held at the United Nations headquarters, the summit brought together business leaders, government officials, and climate experts to explore how renewable energy and sustainable practices can address the dual crises of global warming and hunger. Tomazoni, an influential figure in both agriculture and sustainability, made a compelling case for the role that global food systems can play in achieving these goals.
In his remarks, Tomazoni emphasized that food systems, which encompass everything from production to consumption, have the potential to become powerful tools for carbon capture and for securing global food supplies. “We are at a crossroads where we must rethink how we produce, consume, and sustain our food systems,” he said. “The solutions that will emerge will not only help us mitigate the worst effects of climate change but also ensure that no one goes hungry.”
As one of the world’s largest food producers, JBS has a unique vantage point in understanding the interplay between agriculture and the environment. Their stance on the matter goes beyond corporate responsibility—it’s a strategic imperative. According to Tomazoni, achieving this transformation will require massive financial resources, targeted policies, and a collective effort from both private and public sectors. But more importantly, he stressed the need to include small producers in the solution, emphasizing their critical role in sustainable agriculture.
The Energy Transition as a Response to Global Warming
The Brazil-US Climate Impact Summit focused heavily on the energy transition, particularly how renewable energy can help mitigate climate change. But the discussions went far beyond power generation. As Tomazoni pointed out, agriculture and food production contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, but they can also be part of the solution. His speech underlined the importance of integrating energy transition strategies into food systems to reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously boosting food security.
“The transformations that need to be made require resources—specifically, between $300 and $350 billion dollars per year until 2030,” said Tomazoni. These numbers underscore the enormity of the task. But with the right investments, food systems can help absorb carbon from the atmosphere while increasing productivity, making them a crucial element in any global strategy to combat climate change.
Tomazoni serves as the leader of the B20 Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture Task Force, the business arm of the G20, which includes the world’s 20 largest economies. In his role, he is keenly aware of the financial and structural hurdles to sustainability in agriculture. He referenced data from the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) showing that less than 4% of investments aimed at mitigating climate change go to agriculture. This is a striking imbalance, given the sector’s immense potential to contribute to carbon reduction.
Small Producers at the Center of the Strategy
One of Tomazoni’s key points during the summit was the urgent need to support small farmers. “Small producers must be at the center of any strategy,” he said, noting that they often lack access to credit, technology, and markets that are crucial for sustainable agricultural practices. Tomazoni called for a reevaluation of how investments are distributed, advocating for more funds to be directed toward these producers who make up a significant portion of the world’s food supply chain.
The executive pointed to the fact that smallholder farmers are often on the front lines of climate change, experiencing its effects more acutely than large agricultural businesses. Yet, they are consistently underfunded in terms of climate adaptation measures. By prioritizing small producers, Tomazoni argued, not only can we make agriculture more sustainable, but we can also help lift millions of people out of poverty.
Sustainable Food Systems: A Roadmap for the Future
Tomazoni presented three key guidelines from the policy paper “Sustainable Food Systems and Agriculture,” which he helped author. This paper, the result of collaboration between 139 people from different parts of the world and various sectors of the food industry, offers a comprehensive approach to integrating sustainability into agriculture. The document will be a focal point of discussions at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, set to take place in Rio de Janeiro in November.
The first guideline is increasing productivity in the field. As global populations continue to rise, the demand for food will only intensify. However, increasing food production doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. Through sustainable agricultural practices, farmers can produce more food while using fewer resources and emitting less carbon.
The second guideline is improving access to credit for rural producers. Small farmers, in particular, often struggle to secure the funding needed to invest in sustainable practices, such as renewable energy or water-efficient irrigation systems. Tomazoni called for a revamping of financial systems to ensure that rural producers can access the resources they need to contribute to a greener, more productive food system.
Finally, the third guideline is strengthening the multilateral trade system. For food systems to be sustainable on a global scale, international trade must be free and fair. By reducing trade barriers, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, the global food system can become more resilient and more efficient.
A Call to Action for the Private Sector
Throughout his speech, Tomazoni was clear: the private sector must step up and take a leadership role in addressing climate change and food security. Governments alone cannot solve these problems. Companies like JBS, which have the resources, reach, and expertise, must be at the forefront of this transformation.
“Businesses have the responsibility to lead by example,” Tomazoni said. “It is not enough to wait for government policies to align with the goals of sustainability. The private sector must be proactive, innovative, and, most importantly, accountable.”
He also called for greater collaboration between companies, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). By working together, these entities can share best practices, pool resources, and scale up successful initiatives. The challenges of climate change and hunger are too large for any one organization to tackle alone, but collective action can make a difference.
Conclusion: A Future of Hope and Responsibility
As the world grapples with the dual crises of climate change and hunger, there is a growing recognition that our food systems must be part of the solution. JBS and its CEO, Gilberto Tomazoni, are making a strong case for how agriculture and food production can help capture emissions and advance the fight against hunger. The path forward is not without challenges, but with the right investments, policies, and leadership, there is hope for a sustainable and food-secure future.
“We are in a moment of great opportunity,” Tomazoni said. “If we act now, we can transform our food systems, protect our planet, and ensure that future generations are not only fed but thrive in a world where food is plentiful and sustainable.”
The message from the Brazil-US Climate Impact Summit is clear: it’s time to reimagine our food systems, not just as a source of sustenance but as a key player in the global fight against climate change. Through collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can build a future where no one goes hungry, and the planet is protected for generations to come.