Policy makers recognise that the AFOLU sector presents many opportunities to support climate change mitigation efforts by both reducing GHG emissions and sequestering carbon dioxide. The sector’s capacity to support climate change mitigation efforts is recognised by the international community and highlighted in many agreements, including the 2023 COP28 UAE Declaration on Food Systems “COP28 Sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, and climate action”, and the COP29 “Declaration on Water for Climate Action”. To achieve these climate goals, policy makers employ diverse policy levers.
Unlike other sectors, the AFOLU sectors have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including CO2 and the more potent methane CH4 and nitrous oxide N2O, and to sequester carbon. For example, policies can reduce methane emissions directly through supporting feed additives for livestock. Similarly, policies restricting excess fertiliser application to soils can support N2O emissions reductions. Measures which support CO2 mitigation include afforestation and ecosystem restoration. Many land-based practices can simultaneously reduce emissions of multiple greenhouse gases; for example, improved livestock grazing management practices may mitigate emissions like CH4 and N2O associated with manure, while also reducing emissions from soil degradation