Paving the way for nationally appropriate mitigation actions in the agricultural sector

Hänsel G. 2012. Paving the way for nationally appropriate mitigation actions in the agricultural sector. CCAFS Policy Brief no. 7. CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). Copenhagen, Denmark.

Key messages

• Nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) in the agricultural sector can be elements in the pathway to food security, green growth and sustainable development.
• NAMAs can provide additional resources for climate-smart agriculture, where multiple benefits, including adaptation benefits, are generated alongside mitigation.
• Mitigation and adaptation are often inseparable and complementary in meeting multiple goals.
• NAMAs and national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) could be aligned to maximize synergies and co- benefits.
• Land-based mitigation and adaptation measures should be integrated for implementation at subnational levels.
• NAMAs require a proactive approach by developing countries and should build on existing planning processes, tools, and technologies.
• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) should encourage and enable a country-driven process for mitigation in agriculture. Moreover, developed countries must follow through on their commitments made under the Copenhagen Accord and Cancun Agreements to support mitigation actions in developing countries.