A Guide To Six Greenwashing Terms Big Ag Is Bringing To COP28

The agriculture industry has a lot to be worried about. Meat emits around a third of global emissions of methane, and action to cut this greenhouse gas has been identified by the UN and world leaders as the quickest route to slowing global heating.  The term “regenerative agriculture” is likely to be a hot topic at COP28.  In recent years, the biggest agricultural polluters and food corporations have embraced this term, which refers to a wide range of farming techniques. No-till and organic farming fall under the banner of regenerative agriculture, as well as the use of cover crops. All these methods work to improve the soil, reduce air and water pollution, cut emissions, and boost biodiversity.  While good for the environment, it has “limited potential” to mitigate climate change. The science is also uncertain around soil’s ability to store carbon, which can be easily undone.  The agrochemical industry says it’s climate friendly because pesticides can reduce the need for tilling (which releases carbon when farmers plough the soil).  The contrasting vision is offered by agroecology.  A collection of green farming techniques and principles, it advocates for increased yields achieved through cutting harmful inputs, a wholesale shift to nature-friendly methods of farming – and rebalancing power towards smallholders and food workers, along with proposing a move to diversified, healthier diets.  More than a third of all crops grown go to animal feed, which support meat-rich diets in middle and high-income countries, and around one third of the food produced for human consumption goes to waste.