UPL’s Low-Methane Rice Project Wins Global SBCOP Award at COP30 in the Food Systems Category

UPL’s Low-Methane Rice Project Wins Global SBCOP Award at COP30 in the Food Systems Category

Mumbai, 19 November 2025 (GNI) : UPL, a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, has won the SBCOP Award in the Food Systems category at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The recognition was awarded for UPL’s Low-Methane Rice Project, an initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions in rice cultivation across multiple regions. The award is part of the Sustainable Business COP (SBCOP), a global program led by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) to strengthen private sector participation in climate discussions at COP30 and future summits.

Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO of UPL Group, said, “It is an honor for UPL to receive the SBCOP Award, which recognizes leading corporate initiatives that address climate change and support sustainable food production. We have several projects across different regions, and our commitment to reimagining sustainability is central to our work. This project enables farmers to adopt science-based practices that support productivity and address the environmental footprint of rice cultivation. It strengthens our efforts to build a more resilient and climate-friendly pathway for agriculture.”

UPL’s Low-Methane Rice Project focuses on lowering methane emissions in rice production by developing and cultivating varieties that release less methane and by applying advanced agricultural technologies. This project also aligns with UPL’s flagship #AFarmerCan initiative, which empowers farmers globally with tools, knowledge, and sustainable practices to overcome challenges and thrive in a changing climate.

Ricardo Mussa, Chairman of SBCOP, added, “We received more than 1,400 projects from over 600 companies and institutions worldwide. From these, we shortlisted 670 projects with strong impact potential and global scalability. Selecting the 48 winning cases was a rigorous process, and UPL earned its place among them.” The SBCOP Awards recognize projects that address climate change, deliver economic value, and can be scaled and replicated.

The Sustainable Business COP (SBCOP) is a global initiative led by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI), aimed to structuring and strengthening private sector participation to establish a permanent channel for business contributions, influence the global climate agenda, enhance private sector presence in multilateral processes and drive concrete actions towards decarbonization, low carbon economy and climate finance. 

This achievement reinforces UPL’s commitment to driving solutions that deliver environmental impact, strengthen farmer resilience, and create long-term value for all stakeholders.ends GNI