GETTING ON TRACK ON CLIMATE ACTIONS: SCALING UP AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS ON THE PATH TO DECARBONIZATION


Climate change continues to be one of the most critical sustainability challenges humanity will face in the coming decades.


According to the GlobeScan Sustainability Leaders Survey 2022(1)


, the perceived


urgency of climate change has increased over the years, and sustainability experts are now almost unanimous in stating that there is a pressing need to address climate change.


The large attention of the last COP 26 and COP 27 contributed to raise awareness, countries confirmed their agreement to the goal of limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 °C. COP 27 added a layer on climate justice, bringing the recognition to support transition of the vulnerable countries as fundamental part of the acceleration needed for adaptation and mitigation activities to tackle climate change. Sustained action and collaboration between countries and stakeholders is needed to address climate change.


The IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report on Climate Change 2023(2)


re-emphasized


the responsibility of human activities on the contribution to global warming due to the increase of greenhouse gas emissions. The increase of temperature has already caused adverse impacts to nature and people, important economic damages and it is extensively reported in research studies and the news.


According to the specialists’ projections(3) ,


if no climate policies are in place the future emissions would result in an estimated 4.1 to 4.8°C warming by 2100 (relative to pre- industrial temperatures). However, current


To achieve net-zero emissions, we need to dramatically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy,


climate policies are not enough, with an estimation of warming of 2.8 to 3.2°C by 2100. Furthermore, if all countries achieve their current targets set within the Paris climate agreement, it’s estimated average warming by 2100 will be 2.5 to 2.8°C.


The IPCC AR6 report highlights the need to align emissions compatible with limiting average warming to 1.5°C by 2100. Emissions within the 1.5 degree Celsius scenario will limit the negative impacts of climate change on natural ecosystems, human communities and the global economy. Limiting human- caused global warming requires net zero CO2


emissions, which means that the


amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere is equal to the amount removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net increase in atmospheric concentrations of these gases.


In terms of agriculture, the sector has a unique feature, which is the potential for carbon dioxide sequestration from the atmosphere through reforestation, afforestation, and sustainable land management practices. Reducing emissions and improving carbon sequestration in this sector is critical to reaching the global goal of net-zero emissions and fighting climate change.


8 | ADMISI - The Ghost In The Machine | Sustainability Edition 2023


deforestation and agriculture. The IPCC AR6 report highlights the need for a rapid and far-reaching transition to a low-carbon economy, which includes deploying renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing emissions from land use and agriculture.


WHERE TO FOCUS ON? First, tackling the source of emissions. In 2019, about 79 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions came from the energy, industrial, transportation and building sectors combined, and 22 percent from agriculture, forestry and other land uses.


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