Climate Week: Is agriculture moving from ambition to action?
By Oliver Morrison
07-Oct-2026
Last updated on 07-Oct-2026 at 16:03 GMT
- Helen Clarkson OBE, CEO, Climate Group. (Climate Week NYC)
After years of ambitious climate commitments, the conversation around food and farming is shifting towards delivery. This was evident at Climate Week NYC, where industry leaders discussed how to reduce agriculture's environmental impact and build more resilient supply chains.
This year, the focus moved beyond sustainability commitments and regenerative agriculture to practical solutions:
- Who pays farmers for sustainable practices?
- How are outcomes measured?
- What incentives do buyers offer?
- Where are the commercial returns?
As Tim Weaver, chief strategy officer at soil biologicals company Holganix, and Ethan Soloviev, chief innovation officer at sustainability intelligence platform HowGood, noted, the industry is maturing. They observed a shift in focus from high-level commitments to practical delivery and procurement decisions.
Key Takeaways from Climate Week:
Tim Weaver shared his insights on:
- The market's maturity in focusing on scalable solutions.
- The importance of "soil as infrastructure" in discussions.
Ethan Soloviev discussed:
- The food industry's resolute tone and commitment to action.
- Companies' plans to implement changes and measure their impact.
Questions Remaining:
- Who will fund the transition?
- How will outcomes be measured effectively?
- What incentives will encourage farmers and buyers to adopt sustainable practices?