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OECD/BIAC Workshop, 24 April 2013

Green Growth in the Agro-Food Chain:
What Role for the Private Sector?

Global demand for food is estimated to double by 2050. Natural resources for agriculture and fisheries (such as land and water) will come under increasing pressure from urbanisation and industrialisation. 

Farming and fishing have significant impacts on the environment. Climate change will also have an effect on agriculture and food production.

The challenge for policy makers is to meet increasing demands for food and resources while minimising environmental and social pressure. 

The Blue Economy

The oceans have long been the centre of economic activity. People have been living near the sea, feeding themselves by fishing and making their livelihoods on the coast for thousands of years.

Fisheries will be crucial in feeding a global population set to rise by 2 billion over the next 40 years. The challenge today is harnessing the potential of this Blue Economy.

More on OECD work on fisheries

Elinor Ostrom on managing common pool resources

Nobel economics laureate Elinor Ostrom published groundbreaking work on how and why people organise themselves to manage common natural resources. Visiting OECD in 2011, she explained the benefits of this system.

Fisheries: Preserving stocks, keeping jobs

How can we build a sustainable fishing industry that maintains healthy fish stocks and valued employment? Fisheries policy analyst Saba Khwaja talks about OECD work on this subject, while fish seller Antoine Mallaird tells us about the changes he's seen in his business.

Water use in agriculture: Farmers should go green

Farming accounts for 70 percent of water used in the world today, depleting supplies and polluting lakes and rivers. Kevin Parris, agriculture expert at the OECD, says climate change and water scarcity will mean farmers have be more efficient - use less water to produce the same amount of food at the same price.

Agriculture and climate change
Agriculture is having to adapt to the impacts of climate change, while at the same time provide food for a growing population and meet environmental objectives.

Environmental performance of agriculture
The environmental performance of agriculture across the OECD has improved. What policy measures and approaches do countries use?

Climate change and fisheries
Climate change effects on fish stocks will have social and economic effects on fisheries and coastal communities.

Water use in agriculture
Agriculture is the major user of water in many countries. However, pressure from urbanisation, industrialisation and climate change means that efficient water management in agriculture is critical.

Published November 2011

OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture

A major shift in farm policy and practice is needed if a growing world population is to be fed without over-exploiting scarce natural resources or further damaging the environment, according to this report.

The report identifies three priority areas where coherent action is required:

• Increase productivity in a sustainable way.

• Ensure that well functioning markets provide the right signals.

• Establish and enforce well-defined property rights.

Cette publication est également disponible en français.

This report is based on the following consultants' reports:

• Frank Asche, University of Stavenger, Norway: Green Growth in Fisheries and Aquaculture (pdf, 375 KB)
• David Blandford, Pennsylvania State University: The Contribution of Agriculture to Green Growth (pdf, 550 KB)
• Alison Burrell: Renewable Energies from the Rural Sector: The Policy Challenges (pdf, 750 KB)
• Andy Hall and Kumuda Dorai: The Greening of Agriculture: Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Growth (pdf, 860 KB)
• Candice Stevens: Agriculture and Green Growth (pdf, 990 KB)

See also:

• Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries: At a Glance (2010)
• Climate Change and Agriculture: Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (2010)
• The Economics of Adapting Fisheries to Climate Change (2011)
• Environmental Cross Compliance in Agriculture (2009)
• Environmental Performance of Agriculture in OECD Countries since 1990 (2008)
• Fisheries: While Stocks Last? (2010)
• Guidelines for Cost-effective Agri-environmental Policy Measures (2010)
• Linkages between Agricultural Policies and Environmental Effects (2011)
• OECD Agricultural Codes and Schemes Brochure (2011)
• OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2010-2019 (2011)
• OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture (2011)
• Policy Measures Addressing Agri-environmental Issues (2010)
• Review of Fisheries in OECD Countries 2009: Policies and Summary Statistics (2010)
  

>> See all OECD publications on food, agriculture and fisheries