Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
13
Climate Change Mitigation
Abstract
A variety of options exists for the mitigation of GHG emissions in agricul-
ture. The most prominent options are improved crop and grazing land
management (e.g., improved agronomic practices, nutrient use, tillage,
and residue management), restoration of organic soils that are drained for
crop production, and restoration of degraded lands. Lower but still signifi -
cant mitigation is possible with improved water and rice management;
set-asides, land-use change (e.g., conversion of cropland to grassland) and
agro-forestry as well as improved livestock and manure management.
Emissions from livestock production can be reduced through improved
nutrition and better management of manure. In addition, crop- and
pasturelands can sequester signifi cant amounts of carbon and therefore
contribute to offsetting emissions from other sources, while improving
soil quality and health. Many mitigation opportunities use current
technologies and can be implemented immediately, but technological
development will be a key driver ensuring the effi cacy of additional
mitigation measures in the future. GHG emissions could also be reduced
by substituting fossil fuels with energy produced from agricultural feed-
stocks (e.g., crop residues, dung, energy crops), which would be counted
in sectors using the energy.
Overall, the outlook for GHG mitigation in agriculture suggests that
there is signifi cant potential. Current initiatives suggest that synergy
between climate change policies, sustainable development, and improve-
ment of environmental quality will likely lead the way forward to realize
the mitigation potential in this sector.
Keywords
Mitigation • Cropland management • Grazing land management • Land-
use change • Livestock management • Carbon sequestration • Energy
management • Mitigation potential
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