MUMBAI, 20 November 2025: UPL, a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, has been awarded the SBCOP Award in the Food Systems category at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
The honour recognises UPL’s Low-Methane Rice Project, a programme designed to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation through improved varieties and advanced agronomic practices. The award is part of the Sustainable Business COP (SBCOP), an initiative led by Brazil’s National Confederation of Industry (CNI) to deepen private sector engagement in climate negotiations at COP30 and future international summits.
Announcing the achievement, Mr. Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO of UPL Group, said the recognition underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to reimagining sustainability in agriculture. He noted that the project enables farmers to adopt science-based practices that enhance productivity while reducing the environmental footprint of rice cultivation, contributing to a more resilient and climate-friendly agricultural pathway.
The Low-Methane Rice Project combines varietal development with the use of agricultural technologies aimed at limiting methane release during rice production. The initiative aligns with UPL’s #AFarmerCan programme, which supports farmers globally with tools, knowledge, and sustainable solutions that improve resilience in the face of climate change.
Ricardo Mussa, Chairman of SBCOP, said the 2025 awards received more than 1,400 submissions from over 600 companies and institutions worldwide. Of these, 670 high-impact projects were shortlisted, and 48 were chosen as winners after a rigorous evaluation process. UPL’s project was selected for its potential to address climate challenges, deliver economic value, and be scaled across geographies.
The Sustainable Business COP aims to establish a permanent channel for business participation in global climate processes, strengthen private sector contributions to the climate agenda, and advance decarbonisation and climate finance initiatives.
UPL said the award reiterates its commitment to driving agricultural solutions that deliver measurable environmental benefits, enhance farmer resilience, and create long-term value for stakeholders across the global food system.
