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Study Reveals Tea Cultivation Could Decline by Over 50%

Adler MorisLeave a comment

As the global climate talks unfold at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the world’s most consumed beverage after water, tea, serves as a poignant reminder of the climate challenges we face. While negotiators continue to work toward agreements to tackle global warming, tea remains a fixture in Azerbaijani culture, with the drink taking center stage at the summit. However, as climate change wreaks havoc across the globe, tea cultivation faces an uncertain future. Experts warn that climate change could significantly impact tea production, with potential reductions of over 50% in some areas.

Tea: A Cultural Staple at COP29

Azerbaijan, the host country for COP29, has long celebrated tea culture as an integral part of daily life. Visitors to the conference are greeted by warm tea at various pavilions, served by women in traditional Baku attire. At the Azerbaijan pavilion, the atmosphere invites guests to indulge in more than just tea: it also offers a chance to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage through a range of local pastries, including nutty pakhlava and cardamom-infused shekerbura.

For many, tea symbolizes hospitality, family bonding, and cultural identity. In Azerbaijan, it is common to share a cup of tea with family or friends during social gatherings, on special occasions, and even during moments of mourning. The pear-shaped glasses known as armudu are often used to serve tea, keeping the bottom warm while cooling the top—a subtle reminder of the careful balance that climate scientists are striving to maintain in the face of rapid environmental changes.

Despite the celebration of tea at COP29, the future of this beloved drink is in jeopardy, with climate change emerging as a major threat to its production.

Climate Change: A Growing Threat to Tea Cultivation

Tea, a crop grown in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, is already facing the pressures of rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and soil erosion. Experts warn that these threats will likely worsen, affecting tea production and threatening the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on it. In particular, regions that rely on tea cultivation may see their production decrease by more than half in the coming decades if climate change continues at its current pace.

Professor Keziban Yazici, a researcher studying the effects of climate change on tea, has emphasized the importance of developing climate-resilient tea varieties. Yazici’s team in Rize, Turkey—a major tea-producing area in the Caucasus region—is working on creating drought-resistant tea plants to safeguard future harvests. Yazici traveled to Azerbaijan in the spring to foster cooperation between the two countries, which share common challenges in tea cultivation and cultural practices.

“Tea is a source of livelihood for our region; especially for the local people, for tea producers,” said Yazici. “We need to take the necessary precautions against climate change to make this product sustainable.”

As the climate continues to change, scientists are also investigating the possibility of moving tea production to northern regions, as some other crops are already being pushed north by shifting climates.

The Global Impact of Climate Change on Tea and Culture

The looming threat to tea cultivation highlights the broader consequences of climate change on culture and heritage. If climate goals, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement, are not met, many regions will face not only economic hardship but also the loss of cultural practices tied to agriculture. Tea is not just a beverage; it is a symbol of tradition, hospitality, and community across multiple cultures.

Fatima Fataliyeva, senior sustainability director for the COP29 organizing company, shared her personal connection to tea and its cultural significance. “Culture and the future have to be aligned,” she said. For Fataliyeva, tea represents more than just a drink—it’s an essential part of her cultural identity, passed down from her mother and one she hopes to pass down to her children. For many at COP29, tea’s symbolic importance is intertwined with the growing need for sustainable practices in the face of climate change.

The Role of Climate Change in Regional Agriculture

As Azerbaijan faces growing concerns about climate change’s impact on tea cultivation, the region is also grappling with the environmental consequences of its reliance on fossil fuels. Azerbaijan is one of the world’s leading oil exporters, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions. The country plans to increase its fossil fuel production over the next decade to meet European demand, but President Ilham Aliyev has expressed a desire for a transition toward clean energy in the long term.

Azerbaijan’s dual role as both a major oil producer and a climate-sensitive nation illustrates the complex challenges many countries face in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. While the country’s oil industry may be a key driver of its economy, its agricultural sectors, including tea production, are among the most vulnerable to climate change.

Levent Kurnaz, a professor studying climate change and invasive pests, attended COP29 to raise awareness about the region’s agricultural challenges. Kurnaz explained that climate change will have a particularly severe impact on farmers, many of whom are women, who rely on traditional farming practices, including tea cultivation. “They don’t have a clue what to do when tea production goes sour. But at some point, it will,” Kurnaz warned.

The Intersection of Food, Drink, and Climate Change

The relationship between climate change and food production is personal for many in Azerbaijan, where tea is not only an agricultural product but a vital part of daily life. Rauf Shikhaliyev, who owns a vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Baku, emphasized the importance of aligning food and climate action. His restaurant, De Rama, serves as a microcosm of how the broader shift toward sustainable food production intersects with climate concerns. “We are in the food business, but it’s not just about making profits,” Shikhaliyev explained. “It’s about making choices that contribute to solving the climate crisis.”

Shikhaliyev, who also participated in COP29, noted the critical role tea plays in Azerbaijani culture. Before ordering food, locals often begin their meals by sharing a cup of tea. This ritual serves as a reminder of the deep connection between food, culture, and climate—a connection that many hope to preserve through sustainable practices.

Conclusion: Preserving Tea and Traditions in the Face of Climate Change

As COP29 continues in Baku, the discussions on climate change are not just about policy but about preserving cultural traditions that are vulnerable to environmental shifts. Tea, a cherished cultural and agricultural product, faces a future threatened by rising temperatures, drought, and unpredictable weather patterns. The ongoing research and collaboration between countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey to develop climate-resilient tea varieties offer hope, but the clock is ticking. If the world does not act to mitigate climate change, future generations may not only lose their livelihoods but also the rich cultural practices that tea has long symbolized.

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