BAKU: Experts at the COP29 UN climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, emphasized that agriculture should be a key focus in global efforts to combat climate change. Aditi Mukherji, director of climate change adaptation at the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, highlighted that agriculture is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on weather conditions and the presence of low-income communities.
Mukherji noted that 500 million smallholder farmers worldwide are affected by climate change through droughts, floods, extreme rainfall, and high temperatures, leading to significant losses in production and livelihoods. She also pointed out that agriculture contributes to about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it crucial to reduce these emissions to alleviate pressure on the agricultural system.
Mukherji suggested that reducing food loss and waste could be a straightforward way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, as nearly one-third of food produced is wasted or lost. Additionally, Maimunah Sharif, mayor of Kuala Lumpur, discussed how technologies like solar energy and recycled water can mitigate emissions from agricultural systems, emphasizing the importance of urban farming and composting in her city.
In developing countries like Senegal, the impacts of climate change have severely affected agriculture, leading to food insecurity and reliance on imported produce. Baba Drame, technical adviser on sustainable development at Senegal’s Environment Ministry, explained that Senegal’s food system is heavily dependent on rainfall, which has become irregular in recent years.
Transforming global food systems requires rethinking consumption patterns, particularly reducing reliance on animal agriculture, which contributes significantly to emissions. Mukherji advocated for a shift towards plant-based diets and reducing food waste as effective strategies to lower the carbon footprint of food production.
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