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May 30, 2025

Rice at the Heart of Climate Action: Why Sustainable Farming is Key to Global Food Security

Bangkok, 27 May 2025 – At THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, one of Asia’s leading food and beverage trade shows, the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) brought rice into the spotlight—not just as a staple food, but as a powerful tool to address two of the world’s most pressing challenges: climate change and food security.

While often overlooked, rice farming is both a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. Thailand, one of the world’s largest rice exporters, is already experiencing the consequences: extreme heat, drought, floods, and shifting weather patterns are threatening rice yields and farmer livelihoods.

Yet, in the face of these challenges, there is hope—and a path forward.

At the recent Food for Future expert panel hosted in Bangkok, leading voices from the food, agriculture, and innovation sectors came together to explore new solutions. Among the speakers were:

• Dr. Wyn Ellis, Executive Director of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)
• Sinead Kennedy, Market Specialist for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand at Bord Bia (Irish Food Board)
• Mr. Luke Tay, Founder of Cornucopia FutureScapes and former Singapore Food Agency official
• Shirley Lu, Managing Director Asia, ProVeg International

(Dr. Wyn Ellis, Executive Director from Sustainable Rice Platform was in the panel list on the Future for Food)

Why Rice Matters:

• Rice farming contributes up to 10% of global agricultural methane emissions.
• In Thailand, rice accounts for about half of all agricultural GHG emissions.
• Over 18 million Thai farmers depend on rice for their livelihood.

These numbers highlight the urgent need for scalable solutions. But they also point to a powerful opportunity: If we make rice farming more sustainable, we can significantly cut emissions while improving farmer incomes and ensuring food security for billions.These numbers highlight the urgent need for scalable solutions. But they also point to a powerful opportunity: If we make rice farming more sustainable, we can significantly cut emissions while improving farmer incomes and ensuring food security for billions.

The SRP Approach: Climate-Smart Rice in Action

SRP offers a practical, science-based framework that empowers farmers to adopt sustainable practices—like reduced chemical use, water-saving techniques, and improved soil management. By doing so, they not only lower their environmental footprint, but also gain access to new markets and better prices.

SRP has supported the development of the Thai Rice Sustainability Standard (TAS 4408-2022), in collaboration with Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture. This national standard helps Thai farmers transition toward climate-smart agriculture that meets global demands.

And the work is expanding. In 2025, SRP will launch its Low-Carbon Assurance Module, enabling companies to credibly report on Scope 3 emissions reductions—a growing requirement in EU and international markets.

“Consumers want to know that the food on their plate doesn’t come at the expense of the planet,” said Dr. Ellis. “Our role is to help farmers, brands, and governments make that a reality.”

Global Insights on Regenerative Agriculture and Protein Innovation

The expert panel at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2025 highlighted the urgent need to transform global food systems through innovation, collaboration, and inclusive strategies.

(from left: Sinead Kennedy, Market Specialist for Southeast Asia, Bord Bia, Dr. Wyn Ellis, Executive Director Sustainable Rice Platform, Luke Tay, Founder of Cornucopia FutureScapes, and Shirley Lu, Managing Director Asia, ProVeg International)

Sinead Kennedy highlighted Ireland’s Origin Green program as a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can embed sustainability throughout the entire food value chain. Backed by the government and independently audited, the program shows that long-term sustainability is not only a moral responsibility but also a driver of market value and consumer trust. Continuing this theme, Luke Tay emphasized the need for regional cooperation and localized solutions across Southeast Asia. He urged countries to build climate-resilient food systems tailored to their unique contexts, especially in light of growing climate risks and global trade uncertainties. Echoing this perspective, Shirley Lu highlighted the role of alternative proteins and dietary innovation in easing environmental pressures from traditional livestock production—offering complementary strategies to support more sustainable and diversified food systems.

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Investing in the Future of Food

Meeting climate goals requires more than innovation—it demands investment. That’s why SRP is working with partners including the FAO, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to build blended finance mechanisms that can support both certified and non-certified farmers.

One example is the GEF-funded Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscapes (ISRL) project, which is helping Thai rice farmers implement sustainable practices while protecting natural ecosystems.

From the fields of Thailand to supermarket shelves in Europe, SRP-Verified rice is now available in over 20 countries. As the demand for sustainable and low-emission food rises, rice is no longer just a regional crop—it’s a global climate solution.

And consumers can play a role, too.