April 1, 2009
Links between agriculture and climate change explored
Climate change mitigation efforts must recognize agriculture's susceptibility to climate change as well as the sector's role as a greenhouse gas source and sink, according to a food policy group.
The International Food Policy Research Institute announced Tuesday the development of a brief exploring the links between agriculture and climate change, which the group said it hopes can help influence discussions surrounding the UN meeting on climate change set for December in Copenhagen.
"This brief suggests negotiating outcomes for both mitigation and adaptation funding that will support climate change goals while enhancing the well-being of people who manage and depend on agriculture, especially in the developing world," IFPRI said on its Web site.
"The brief outlines specific recommendations for negotiators that would assist farmers in adapting to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture," IFPRI said.
Also, efforts to confront climate change should recognize that ag-based sources of greenhouse gases differ from other sources in that they are often "individually small, geographically dispersed" operations "often served by inadequate physical and institutional infrastructure," IFPRI said.
"Cost-effective payment mechanisms to encourage agricultural mitigation must reflect these differences," IFPRI said, offering as examples land retirement contracts and one-time investments in long-term mitigation technology.
"If, as seems likely, the effects of climate change will fall disproportionately on poor farmers, a policy environment that enhances opportunities for small holders will also be good for climate change adaptation," IFPRI said. "Such an environment would include more investment in agricultural research and extension, rural infrastructure, and access to markets for small farmers."
IFPRI added that "major improvements" in global data collection and provision are needed to properly understand and confront the challenges of climate change as they relate to agriculture.
