The Emissions Gap Report 2013, involving 44 scientific groups in 17 countries and coordinated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), was published in early November as leaders prepared to meet for the latest Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Warsaw. Should the global community not immediately embark on wide-ranging actions to narrow the greenhouse gas emissions gap, the report says, the chance of remaining on the least-cost path to keeping global temperature rise below 2°C this century will swiftly diminish and open the door to a host of challenges.
This year’s report pays particular attention to the agriculture sector as, although few countries have specified action in this area as part of implementing their pledges, estimates of emission-reduction potentials for the sector range from 1.1 GtCO2e to 4.3 GtCO2e. Of particular interest is the reports emphasis on no-tillage and agroforestry
The report outlines a range of measures that not only contribute to climate-change mitigation, but enhance the sector’s environmental sustainability and could provide other benefits such as higher yields, lower fertilizer costs or extra profits from wood supply.
As examples, three key practices that should be scaled-up more widely are highlighted:
The full report can be downloaded here
