Baku: A high-level event, ‘COP29: Decarbonizing and Adapting the Cotton-to-Clothing Value Chain through Multisectoral Partnerships,’ was held on Tuesday at the Pakistan Pavilion during the global climate summit (COP29). The event focused on the challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing and adapting the cotton-to-clothing value chain through multisectoral partnerships, The speakers highlighted that as global climate changes, cotton farmers worldwide, particularly those in developing countries vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, face unprecedented challenges due to climate change impacts like floods, heatwaves, and droughts. They emphasized the urgent need to enhance the climate resilience of cotton farmers, especially in resource-poor countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt, through technology transfer and technical know-how for sustainable and climate-resilient cotton cultivation.
According to Press Information Department, the event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), featured speakers addressing various aspects of the issue. Ahmed Atteeq Anwar, the parliamentary secretary at the climate change & environmental coordination ministry, underscored cotton’s significance as a key raw material for the global textile and fashion industries, including in Pakistan. He noted that adverse weather patterns, such as recurrent floods, heatwaves, and droughts, threaten the stability of cotton farming in countries like Pakistan. Without immediate efforts to enhance farmers’ adaptability, global supply chains, rural economies, and environmental sustainability could face severe consequences.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, emphasized the role of nuclear technology in decarbonizing and building climate resilience in the cotton sector. He stated that nuclear technology provides innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions in cotton farming and textile production while helping farmers adapt to climate change challenges. Techniques such as providing low-carbon energy, improving water efficiency, sustainable pest control, and enhancing soil health can transform the cotton industry into a more resilient and eco-friendly sector. He stressed that integrating nuclear technology into the cotton value chain is crucial for mitigating climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting farmers’ livelihoods globally. Additionally, nuclear methods can track water and soil pollution, aiding in cleaner, sustainable farming practices and reducing the environmental impact of cotton production.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, highlighted the importance of soil mapping for the adaptation of agricultural crops like cotton, which is sensitive to shifting weather patterns. Soil mapping offers critical information on soil health, fertility, and other characteristics, enabling farmers to choose climate-resilient crops and practices. It is essential for mitigating agriculture sector emissions and enhancing resilience to climate shocks.
Sarvan Jafarov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture from Azerbaijan, shared that Azerbaijan is implementing climate-smart agricultural practices based on nuclear techniques, resulting in doubled cotton yields in a project supported by the IAEA and FAO. The adoption of a new cotton variety, combined with climate-smart practices, increased yields from three to eight tonnes per hectare. Other notable speakers included Dicko Amadou from Burkina Faso, Ciyong Zou of UNIDO, Nazeem Noordali from the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, and Imtinen Hamlaoui from the ARISE group.