Expanding Agriculture's Role in the International Climate Change Regime: Capturing the opportunities

Agriculture's profile in the international negotiations on climate change is increasing.

Agriculture is responsible for around 14 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and offers relatively cost-effective options for significant emission reductions in the short term. The majority of this mitigation potential in is in developing countries, and actions to mitigate agricultural emissions can have important co-benefits.Effective mitigation in the agricultural sector will require the participation of developing nations; developed countries, such as Canada, can play an important facilitative role through the provision of capacity building and technology transfer. Focused support for mitigation in the agricultural sector in developing countries could help Canada build its reputation as helpful contributor on agriculture and climate change, and demonstrate leadership on the issue.This paper examines the options for expanding the role of agriculture in the international climate change regime. The paper reviews the importance of mitigation in the agricultural sector and the outcomes of recent UNFCCC meetings, examining the views and priorities of various countries. Canadian strengths in capacity building and technology transfer for agricultural mitigation are assessed; the concluding section sets out recommendations for Canada to support the meaningful and effective treatment of agriculture in the international climate change regime.