COP30: ANRPC highlights key role of rubber smallholders

Belém, Brazil – The importance of natural rubber as an enabler of sustainable development and climate resilience was highlighted during the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil.

During the conference held 18 Nov in Belém, delegates at a side event discussed how natural rubber was both a critical raw material and a strategic contributor to global mitigation efforts and net-zero targets.

At COP30, optimism around tripling adaptation finance was matched by concrete discussions on how to channel resources to those on the frontlines of climate action.

Titled ‘Promoting smallholder projects for net-zero and beyond’, the meeting was organised by the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC).

The event was also supported by the International Rubber Research and Development Board, and co-organised by the American Forest Foundation.

During the talks, ANRPC’s Dr Lekshmi Nair emphasised the role of smallholders in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the need for the right support, tools, finance, and partnerships for attaining global net-zero goals.

Meanwhile, keynote speaker, Dr Satya Tripathi, secretary-general of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, highlighted the need for private finance to support public good and the importance of replicating successful projects

Also, Dr Nisar Marisi, ministry of national development planning, Indonesia, pointed out the importance of enhancing productivity, strengthening compliance, and improving value-chain efficiency for a sustainable transition in the natural rubber sector.

Summarising, ANRPC said the key messages included: “Smallholders are essential actors in achieving net-zero and must be supported with finance, expertise, and market access; and Climate action must integrate livelihood security.

“Public-private partnerships can drive supply chain transformation… [and] regenerative agriculture offers a long-term pathway for resilience and sustainability.”