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The role of agriculture in global GHG mitigation

Author

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  • David Blandford

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Katharine Hassapoyannes

Abstract

Agriculture is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Its potential to contribute to limiting global warming to less than 2oC by the end of the century is substantial by reducing direct emissions in crop and livestock production, by reducing indirect emissions associated with changes in land use, and by increasing carbon sequestration. Technological advancements and changes in consumer preferences that result in land-sparing are particularly promising options given food security concerns. Gains in total factor productivity will also enhance the sector’s competitiveness. Changes in domestic and trade policies are essential to maximize mitigation potential. In the absence of global application of carbon pricing, international co-ordination is needed to ensure that national mitigation efforts result in carbon reallocation, i.e. shifts in the location of production to low emissions sources. Measures of emissions relative to the economic contribution of agricultural activities can be insightful for identifying national mitigation priorities.

Suggested Citation

  • David Blandford & Katharine Hassapoyannes, 2018. "The role of agriculture in global GHG mitigation," OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papers 112, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:agraaa:112-en
    DOI: 10.1787/da017ae2-en
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Lungarska & Raja Chakir & Nosra Ben Fradj & Pierre Alain Jayet & Laure Bamière & Ancuta Isbasoiu & Maxime Ollier & Eva Gossiaux & Ines Chiadmi & Stéphane de Cara & Salomé Kahindo, 2020. "Integrated approach to animal and plant production in an economic model for the analysis of agriculture-environment interactions [Approche intégrée des productions animales et végétales dans un mod," Post-Print hal-03161714, HAL.
    2. David Blandford, 2021. "We Should Focus on Food Consumption to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture," EuroChoices, The Agricultural Economics Society, vol. 20(2), pages 18-22, August.
    3. Foivos Zisis & Elisavet Giamouri & Christina Mitsiopoulou & Christos Christodoulou & Charalampos Kamilaris & Alexandros Mavrommatis & Athanasios C. Pappas & Eleni Tsiplakou, 2023. "An Overview of Poultry Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Mediterranean Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change; global agriculture; mitigation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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