Authors: Catherine Bowyer, Ben Allen, Anna Lorant

Rural land using sectors have a multidimensional role in the delivery of climate action. Agriculture needs to reduce its own emissions but is also being called upon to provide biomass for the replacement of carbon-intensive materials and carbon removals via sequestration and storage in soils and biomass. Increasing pressure is being placed on the agricultural sector to deliver transformational change. The question remains: how can the diverse demands being placed on agriculture be delivered to achieve net zero emissions and broader sustainable development goals?

On On 7 December (10:30-14:30) IEEP will be convening a discussion on the role of agriculture in delivering net zero emissions at COP24 of the UNFCCC. IEEP is collaborating with CCCA, FEEDBACK, AGRICORD, IIED, SNV, Joanneum Reasearch, IFFA, and the FAO’s Forest and Farm Facility to deliver a wider ranging discussion on agriculture’s role. The session will debate the key levers for delivering a low carbon, resilient farming sector & barriers to change including presentations on both supply & demand side measures.

Discussions and presentations will be focused around the following questions:

• What tools and policy developments are needed to promote change & maximize opportunities for climate action in the agricultural sector?
• What is the role of trade in delivering climate mitigation and adaptation in land-using sectors?
• How can biomass value chains be made more resource efficient & make best use of sustainable, renewable energy?
• What is the role of policy and regulatory measures focused on diet and behavior? 
• How can we engage the world’s farmers (including the 1.5 billion smallholders) in efforts to upscale climate action?
• How can synergies between climate and development pathways be maximized?

Given the importance of both supply and demand side change in the agricultural sector to secure climate mitigation, the session will be broken into two intertwined debates followed by space to discuss the action points and policy needs that emerge.

1. Supply side action, value chain evolution and the role of smallholders in upscaling change – approx. 10:30 to 12:30 CET
2. Demand management, the role of trade, consumption and the wider evolution of the bio-based economy – approx. 12.45 to 14.00 CET
3. Action points and policy needs – to deliver net zero agriculture – approx. 14.00 to 14.30 CET