Abstract
AbstractA large body of research has explored opportunities to mitigate climate change in agricultural systems; however, less research has explored opportunities across the food system. Here we expand the existing research with a review of potential mitigation opportunities across the entire food system, including in pre-production, production, processing, transport, consumption and loss and waste. We detail and synthesize recent research on the topic, and explore the applicability of different climate mitigation strategies in varying country contexts with different economic and agricultural systems. Further, we highlight some potential adaptation co-benefits of food system mitigation strategies and explore the potential implications of such strategies on food systems as a whole. We suggest that a food systems research approach is greatly needed to capture such potential synergies, and highlight key areas of additional research including a greater focus on low- and middle-income countries in particular. We conclude by discussing the policy and finance opportunities needed to advance mitigation strategies in food systems.
Highlights
It is estimated that agriculture and associated land use change account for 24% of total global emissions (Smith et al, 2014), while the global food system may contribute up to 35% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Foley et al, 2011; Vermeulen et al, 2012)
We argue here that there is a need to better understand, integrate and create action related to the food system and climate change (CC), beyond agricultural production
Mitigation strategies for preproduction include opportunities to increase the efficiency of input production systems, shift toward renewable or less GHG-intensive energy sources for its production, or shift toward more sustainable agricultural inputs required for agroecological practices
Summary
It is estimated that agriculture and associated land use change account for 24% of total global emissions (Smith et al, 2014), while the global food system may contribute up to 35% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Foley et al, 2011; Vermeulen et al, 2012). Downstream food waste reductions could minimize agricultural land expansion and reduce other environmental impacts (FAO, 2011a) critical to explore opportunities to mitigate and adapt to CC both within various components and actors interacting within a food system, and across its parts.
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