Global atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) have increased markedly, agriculture-related activities being important contributors. The industrialization of agriculture, intensification of production, significant use of agro-chemicals, expansion of crop and grazing land and related land use changes have been the main driving forces of agricultural GHG emissions.
Overall, agriculture accounts for about 15 percent of global GHG emissions. This figure is confined to direct GHG emissions at production level, not including pro-duction of agricultural inputs and fixed capital equipment or processing and trade of agricultural products. The GHG share of agriculture rises to approximately 30 percent if land use changes and deforestation are included. GHG emissions are predicted to rise in response to population growth and changing diets in develop¬ing countries, in particular towards greater consumption of ruminant meats and dairy products, as well as the further spread of industrial and factory farming in developed and developing countries.
For a large number of developing countries, agriculture remains the single most important sector. Yet, climate change has the potential to damage irreversibly the natural resource base on which agriculture depends, with grave consequences for food security. However, as a major source of GHGs, agriculture has much untapped potential to reduce emissions through reduced deforestation and changes in land use and agricultural practices. There is a general consensus on the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce the adverse effects of climate change, particularly in developing countries, which are expected to be most affected.
Product and production standards offer leverage to enable the agriculture and forestry sectors to participate in a “low carbon economy”. Standard systems pro¬vide a well-proven and cost-effective instrument for the management of sustaina¬ble value creation chains. The implementation of standards and standard systems offer possibilities to achieve comprehensive sustainability effects, and can integrate aspects of climate protection with a view to facilitating the transition to more sus-tainable, resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural production methods.
In this context, the TSPN annual conference aimed at finding answers to the question which criteria must be fulfilled so that standards can contribute to sus-tainable agriculture and the mitigation of climate change while at the same time improving economic conditions in developing countries.
Download the conference report and visit www.tradestandards.org
Contact: Johann F. Moltmann, TSPN Secretariat, johann.moltmann@tradestandards.org
The development of rural areas is key to fighting hunger and poverty and it contributes to the attainment of all millennium development goals the United Nations agreed on in 2000.
Talk-A: Talk Agriculture & Rural Development 