What next for agriculture after Durban?

In the past years, climate change has proved to greatly affect food security. Droughts and floods are critical in some regions of the world and combined with already existing poverty, weak governance, conflicts and poor market access, can lead to increasing famine episodes. The Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change, established by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), produced a set of evidence-based policy recommendations to address these challenges.

Prior to the last Conference of the Parties (COP-17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that took place in Durban late 2011, the Commission published recommendations for policy-makers. Amongst other recommendations, the integration of food security and sustainable agriculture in global and national policies; the increase of global investment in sustainable agriculture and food systems; the sustainable intensification of agricultural production while mitigation of emissions and other environmental impacts; the reduction of food loss and waste throughout the supply chain.

Durban produced the “Durban Platform for Enhanced Action” which sets a legal framework for reducing GHG emissions by 2015, and where agriculture had space for discussion. Authors report that this modest progression can be explained by multiple concerns from governments. First, climate change impacts certain regions of the world more severely than others. Second, authors report that “adaptation and mitigation are discussed separately under FCCC, which obscures opportunities for agriculture that can deliver benefits for both”. Last, there are concerns that the changes to be made towards a sustainable agriculture are too great to formalize in an agreement.

As a result of the Durban outcome and considering the Commission’s recommendations, the authors identified priorities for further action. “By expanding understanding of agricultural practices that deliver multiple benefits and of the links between agriculture and forestry, scientists can make a critical contribution to these initiatives”. The authors suggest that the Green Climate Fund could also be used to invest in integrated agricultural adaptation and mitigation. Moreover, national action is necessary. The authors hope for a work programme and agreements on agriculture, adaptation and mitigation, for the next COP-18 meeting in Qatar.