How Dorcas is using local solutions to tackle climate challenges 

Yesterday, the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) officially opened in Belém, Brazil, with an urgent call to implement climate pledges. Running until 21 November, the summit is focused on accelerating the implementation of practical solutions to meet national climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

This year, the core theme is climate adaptation, which the summit focuses on through six official action agenda areas:

1. Transitioning energy, industry and transport. 
2. Stewarding forests, oceans and biodiversity. 
3. Transforming agriculture and food systems. 
4. Building resilience for cities, infrastructure and water. 
5. Fostering human and social development. 
6. Unleashing enablers and accelerators, including on financing, technology and capacity-building (cross-cutting theme). 

These six themes are broken down into 30 key objectives, which provide more detail on the actions needed in these areas.

Agriculture and food systems on the agenda  

Among the priorities at COP30, the transformation of agriculture and food systems is worthy of note. For decades, climate talks have largely overlooked food and farming, even though these sectors are crucial not only for tackling climate change, but also for ensuring that communities have enough to eat and can flourish in a changing world. 

Heleen Berends, Dorcas’s Strategic Programme Advisor, explains:

‘The shift became evident back at COP27, when countries launched a four-year work programme on agriculture and food security (the Sharm El Sheikh Joint Work). Now, governments are reporting on progress and discussing how to increase climate action in the agricultural sector. The Global Action Agenda specifically lists goals such as restoring land, building climate-resilient food systems, and ensuring equitable access to food.’ 

Heleen adds:

‘This also raises a key issue: roughly one-third of global emissions are driven by food production, and agriculture is a primary driver of biodiversity loss. At the same time, hunger and food insecurity remain widespread. It is therefore essential to rethink how we produce, process and consume food. This needs to include regenerative farming, protecting forests and wetlands, reducing food waste, and promoting truly sustainable diets. Such measures can lower emissions while also ensuring sufficient yields, nutrition and resilience. What is clear, is that the current situation demands immediate action. The world must now come together to pledge sufficient funds and create accessible mechanisms that allow for better and accelerated adaptation.’ 

The spotlight on food systems also underscores the importance of community-level action, and shows why Dorcas’ work matters more than ever. 

How Dorcas supports communities to adapt to climate change 

For Dorcas, climate change is not an abstract issue. It directly affects the communities we support. From droughts in Ethiopia and Kenya to floods in South Sudan and wildfires and desertification in Iraq, extreme weather is making farming unpredictable and threatening food security. Those in vulnerable situations often have the fewest resources to cope, which is why climate adaptation is central to our work. 

Heleen explains:

‘We support communities in adapting to changing conditions, improving food security, and preparing for disasters. For farmers in vulnerable areas, climate-adaptive solutions are essential.’ 

In practice, Dorcas combines innovation with local solutions to address climate challenges. In Yemen, solar-powered water systems provide clean drinking water and irrigation. In Iraq, water-saving technologies help trees survive in the desert. In Kenya, wetlands are being restored to manage floods, and schoolchildren plant trees to connect communities with their environment. These locally led solutions build resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and support people to flourish.

Dorcas takes a holistic approach to climate adaptation, working across food systems, land and water management, and community development. In this way, Dorcas transforms global commitments, such as those emphasised at COP30 and in the Belém Declaration, into tangible change for local communities. 

11 November 2025