Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) aims to achieve both mitigation and adaptation goals. So far CSA has been an exercise that is focused on agriculture technologies, with the underlying assumption that higher yields take pressure of forests. However, this cannot be taken for granted and deserves a closer look from science, policy and investment perspectives. If implemented in the right way, CSA has the potential for win-win outcomes. It also fits into the recent focus in climate debates on agriculture as a driver of deforestation and ecosystem degradation. That way, CSA can become an integral part of the solution to saving the world’s forests.
The idea of a broader land use agreement, incorporating both REDD+ and agriculture, is still high on the UNFCCC agenda. With the new data and results generated by several research partners, we are able to underpin the discussions with better information. This can bring critical issues to the forefront, such as: where and how can land-based climate change mitigation supported by CSA be successful in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions?
In this session, new scientific findings will be presented on how agriculture and REDD+ are linked, how these linkages are addressed in country strategies, and how an integrated perspective can exploit synergies and address conflicts. The forum will look at a new pan-tropical analysis on the contribution to GHG emissions from the agricultural, forestry and land-use sectors. Also, panelists and public will analyze the potential to achieve mitigation through CSA.
The session will include a reality-check by including the views of key land use stakeholders such as agricultural investors and development practitioners. In this way, the panel aims to include the participants in a debate around the possible linkages between REDD+ and climate-smart agriculture – both in policy and practice.
Key questions addressed:
- Where are the pan-tropical emission and mitigation hotspots in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector?
- How are drivers and REDD+ intervention linked and impact monitoring options outside forests?
- How can CSA contribute to reduced emissions in both the agriculture and forest sectors?
Background reading:
An assessment of deforestation and forest degradation drivers in developing countries
What policies are effective to reduce deforestation while enhancing production?
Sustainable intensification: What is its role in climate smart agriculture?
