partial melting of the permanently frozen deep soil layer or Not only is this technically possible, it is also economically
permafrost there, releasing a proportion of the vast amount of feasible. Indeed, the IPCC has concluded that at an appropri-
carbon stored in the permafrost into the atmosphere. At pres- ate level of valuing or costing carbon emissions (US$100 per
ent there are no technologies to prevent this happening: the tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent), in 2030 the agricultur-
only certain avoidance measure is to prevent the warming in al sector would be second only to building as potentially the
the first place. Overall, there also appears to be relatively little most important sector for contributing to mitigation of climate
scope at present for actively increasing carbon storage in most change. At this level of carbon pricing, forestry and agricul-
natural or largely natural ecosystems. ture combined become more important than any other single
sector. Even at lower carbon prices, the two sectors still retain
There are, however, many areas where appropriate policies high importance in mitigation.
and direct interventions could have major impacts. Large
amounts of carbon are stored in peat soils worldwide and in There still remain many challenges to effective implementa-
remaining tropical moist forests. Protection of these from tion. The greatest potential for increasing carbon storage in
drainage and clearance would greatly help to slow down the agricultural systems is in the developing world, where lack
rate of increase of greenhouse gases as well as delivering valu- of knowledge and access to appropriate technologies are ma-
able benefits for biodiversity. Of particular importance are the jor barriers to change. Overcoming such barriers will need a
tropical peat-swamp forests of South-East Asia – ironically commitment to capacity-building on a very extensive scale.
under threat of clearance for biofuel production, despite the Incentive-led systems, to encourage for example the plant-
fact that their value as a carbon store hugely outweighs any ing of biofuels on marginal lands, need to be very carefully
possible carbon benefits to be gained from the biofuel crops planned and executed if they are not to have adverse impacts
that are replacing them. on local livelihoods, on biodiversity or even on carbon stocks
themselves.
Agricultural systems offer many opportunities for active car-
bon sequestration and reduction of emissions. They often have If the global community can rise to these challenges, the
highly depleted soil carbon stocks, which could be replenished Earth’s living systems can play a vital role in the struggle
through the adoption of appropriate techniques, such as con- to avoid dangerous climate change. Not only that, but mea-
servation tillage and integrated nutrient management using sures to manage ecosystem carbon can offer great potential
compost and manure. Overall, if best management practices benefits for biodiversity and soil fertility. This opportunity to
were widely adopted, it is believed that the agricultural sector contribute to so many important environmental goals should
could become broadly carbon-neutral by 2030. not be missed.
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