Policy Inventory for Mitigation Actions in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use Sectors

The policy inventory categorises policies across four major sectors: i) agriculture, ii) forestry, iii) AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use), and iv) non-AFOLU. About two-thirds of these policies are focused on the agricultural sector. Some policies, such as waste management regulations, target non-AFOLU sectors but still influence mitigation actions in farming and forestry.

Different sectors rely on distinct policy mixes to achieve mitigation objectives. Subsidies are the most commonly used instrument type for all land-based sectors, representing about 70% of policies in the agricultural sector. Their prevalence is somewhat lower in non-AFOLU sectors, where they account for roughly 40% of policies. While only accounting for 2% of total individual instruments, most trading systems target the AFOLU sector, making up 8% of the sector. These policies often allow both farmers and foresters to generate credits. The forestry sector accounts for the largest proportion of government investment and consumption instruments, which include for example, research and development (R&D) and afforestation and restoration of state-owned land. Information instruments are proportionately most used by the non-AFOLU sector, accounting for about a quarter of instruments. These policies include environmental certifications and training for businesses.

PIMA-AFOLU categorising policies by their environmental goals helps in tracking national and efforts. These environmental goals (labeled domains in PIMA-AFOLU) include: i) soil, ii) water, iii) biodiversity, iv) climate change, v) environment (if the policy target multiple domains), vi) energy, and vii) waste. For example, about 200 policies address soil quality through actions, such as planting cover crops to prevent soil erosion and regulations on fertiliser application.

The database identifies various ways that policies can help mitigate emissions and specifies the types of GHG emissions they target, including biogenic and non-point source emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). For example, N₂O emissions can be reduced through policies that regulate the amount, storage, or use of fertilisers, targeting emissions from both soils and manure. Similarly, CH₄ emissions can be reduced through policies related to manure management, livestock feed adjustment, and herd size regulations; in fact, about 270 policies specifically target CH₄ reduction. 

AFOLU policies commonly focus on emissions reduction through improved land management, land conservation and ecosystems, and carbon sequestration. Policies aimed at land management and conservation can impact multiple greenhouse gases (GHGs) simultaneously by influencing various biochemical processes. Policies may also support reduced emissions through carbon sequestration; examples include subsidies for afforestation and regulations for conservation of land wetlands and pastures.