Leaders ‘must track green tech uptake in agriculture’

A new methodology has been developed to track the uptake of green technology in the agriculture and food (agrifood) sector. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Food […]

A new methodology has been developed to track the uptake of green technology in the agriculture and food (agrifood) sector.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) say food production and supply chains consume nearly a third of global energy and emit almost a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gases.

The organisations suggest the adoption of climate-smart technologies and practices along these value chains can help minimise carbon emissions, improve productivity and make better use of the earth’s natural resources.

They say the set of guidelines they have released will help decision makers assess the market penetration of diverse climate technologies, identify relevant policy and investment opportunities and help countries attract climate finance.

The process involves identifying the most emission intensive agrifood activities, prioritising promising climate technologies and practices and evaluating sustainability issues.

Finally it addresses the main barriers holding back adoption, whether they are policy and regulatory constraints or gaps in skill and knowledge.

Martin Frick, Director of FAO’s Climate, Energy and Tenure Division, said: “The world’s population is growing, diets are changing, competition over natural resources is rising and the weather is increasingly unpredictable. It’s imperative we find sustainable ways to produce more food using less water, land and energy.

“The transfer of green technologies at all levels, from small-scale farmers to large food-processing companies, is key to building resilient food and agriculture systems better adapted to our changing climate.”

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