| The Greenhouse Gas Implications of Future Food Needs in Developing Countries |
Background |
As populations grow worldwide, the demand for food rises. This will be exacerbated by potential changes in climate that could be either too dry or too wet for traditional agricultural production systems. Simultaneously there is a demand for actions to mitigate against climate changes through actions that decrease emissions or increase sequestration relative to business as usual. These actions to decrease emissions or increase sequestration indirectly and directly affect agriculture production. The international proposed REDD+ mechanism (Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation, in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) indirectly affects agriculture because a major driver of deforestation in many countries is expansion of agriculture. Efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation will clearly lead to the need to reduce conversion of forests to agricultural lands, thus implying the need to increase production on existing lands. The very large areas occupied by agriculture, and the attraction of an additional source of income for farmers, have led to the demand for agricultural inclusion in greenhouse gas emission offsetting schemes. However, in the light of global demand for food it is an increasingly accepted principle that agricultural greenhouse gas offsets should not be at the expense of food production. |
Objectives |
To conduct analyses of agricultural greenhouse gas emission and potential for decreases in emissions/ increases in sequestration across countries in East and West Africa |
Activities |
|
Outputs |
1. Project report (including Excel spreadsheets, maps etc) 2. Scientific paper for submission to journal (to be included in separate contract for 2011) |
Partners |
Timeframe |
2010 |
Scope/Location |
