Representatives from OCA and Regeneration International attended the COP27 Global Climate Summit in Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt in November. The Summit ended with an agreement for a “Loss and Damage” fund without any implementation plans or consensus to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, there was very little progress in terms of solid recommendations for climate action and achieving net-zero emissions urged by the UNFCCC to avoid the catastrophic tipping points of a +1.5C warmer planet.

In Egypt, OCA and RI joined forces with friends and partners such as AFSA, IPES-Food, IFOAM Organics International, SEKEM, ONAMIAP and the “4 per 1000” Initiative to discuss concrete examples of how agroecology, regenerative agriculture and indigenous agrobiodiversity (preserving traditional seeds) can reverse global warming and revitalize communities. RI conducted a series of interviews with global organic leaders including the following:

Interview with Karen Mapusua, President of IFOAM Organics International

Interview with Africa Farm Leader Bridget Mugambe

Interview with Uganda Parliament Member Kayaa Christine Nakimwero

RI was also an official partner of the Future Economy Forum organized by the Egyptian organic farm organization SEKEM. A series of dialogues and events offered a space for the organic and regeneration movement to discuss our strengths, strategies, and ideas and move forward together for regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration.

For the first time in COP history, Regenerative agriculture and food systems were highlighted as a top priority. Yet, much of the COP misused the term “regenerative,” and very few side events promoted genuine regenerative and agro-ecological practices. GMOs, lab meat, and no-till glyphosate-drenched practices were on the menu of most side events, with the Food Systems Pavilion opening with pro-GMO/industry rhetoric from various members of the Bill Gates-funded AGRA network and other so-called “green revolution” advocates.

RI participated in several side events, including the “4 per 1000” workshop promoting tangible and shovel-ready regenerative practices such as holistic planned grazing and regenerative agroforestry via our Billion Agave Project.

Despite the circus like confusion of hosting an expensive Climate Summit in a poverty ridden African country, we are glad we were there, together with our allies. Despite the obvious shortcomings of COP27, we look forward to COP28, hopefully with a much stronger participation from the organic and regenerative movement.

Read more: We Are in Egypt for COP27