By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-17 12:44:10
The role of Agriculture in climate action and global food security is being emphasized in the face of rising global temperatures, with 2023 confirmed to be the warmest year on record. Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), expressed concern about the implications of these record-breaking temperatures, particularly on the agricultural community and the increased frequency of extreme weather events, forest fires, droughts, and floods.
While agrifood systems currently contribute to about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, Zahedi and other experts believe that they also offer significant potential for positive climate action. Farms can serve as generators of renewable energy, providing energy for greenhouses, water pumping, irrigation, or even shared with the grid. Agricultural waste can be turned into biofuels, presenting energy smart agriculture solutions.
In December, a historic deal was struck at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai to transition the global economy away from fossil fuels. The summit’s Declaration on Agriculture, Food, & Climate garnered endorsements from 137 countries, with $3.5 billion announced to replenish the Green Climate Fund. A significant portion of this funding has been allocated to implementing solutions for sustainable land and sea management, resulting in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of green jobs and livelihoods.
The 2023 edition of the Emissions Gap Report, released ahead of COP28, emphasizes the need for the world to cut emissions by 42 percent by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. With agriculture playing a crucial role in both contributing to and mitigating climate change, international efforts and investments are being directed toward promoting sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of the agricultural sector.
