Eiffel Tower summit closes, 1,350 schools shut in France heat wave
France is facing a severe heat wave forcing nearly 1,350 schools to shut fully or partially, nearly double from the previous day....
Transitioning to green agriculture requires a fundamental shift in budget priorities, sustainable practices, and consumer behavior, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasized at the 4th Agribusiness Development Forum held in Baku
Speaking at the forum, Dmitry Zvyagintsev, a representative of the FAO, detailed a set of key recommendations for achieving environmentally sustainable agriculture. “It is essential to reduce environmentally harmful budget supports and redirect some of those funds towards eco-friendly measures,” he stated. Zvyagintsev underscored the importance of aligning agricultural policies with agro-climatic conditions and introducing clear environmental requirements to help farmers move toward greener practices.
He also stressed the need for greater investment in research and development. “We want farmers to adopt sustainable land management practices and use climate-resilient seeds and animal breeds,” he noted.
Another crucial element of the transition, according to Zvyagintsev, involves consumer-oriented measures. “Promoting sustainable dietary choices at the retail level will influence which products are in demand and, consequently, which products farmers grow,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of reducing food loss and waste as part of the green agriculture agenda.
While agro-systems deliver significant benefits to society, Zvyagintsev warned that they also carry considerable environmental costs. “These negative impacts primarily affect water, soil, nitrogen, and the climate,” he said.
Citing FAO data, he revealed that global food systems generate approximately $10 trillion annually in hidden costs, with around $3 trillion stemming from countries in the region. “In our region, unhealthy diets account for the largest share of hidden costs, followed by environmental costs related to climate, water, soil, and nitrogen,” he explained.
Zvyagintsev concluded by urging policymakers to consider these figures in ministerial discussions, particularly when allocating budget support and planning green transition strategies for farmers.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
Following a deadly glacier collapse in Blatten, near the Swiss Alpine village of Kandersteg, the town is on high alert as melting permafrost and shifting rock threaten another potential disaster after it was buried a month ago.
The Russian government has approved the creation of the Black Sea State Nature Biosphere Reserve, according to a decree published Sunday on the government’s official website. Black Sea Biosphere Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Ukraine which is now under Russian occupation.
Over a third of Tuvalu's population has applied for Australia's climate visa, as rising sea levels threaten to submerge the Pacific nation within decades.
Heatwaves gripping Europe have pushed temperatures above 40°C, fueling wildfires and triggering weather alerts across several countries.
Greek firefighters are battling a large wildfire south of Athens as the country faces its first major heat wave of the summer, with temperatures nearing 40°C and strong winds fuelling the flames.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment