Carbon market and climate finance for climate-smart agriculture in developing countries

Abstract

This study was commissioned to assess the value and effectiveness of carbon market and climate finance strategies to enhance agricultural investment, food security and emission reductions in developing countries, particularly for smallholders. The assessment will inform recommendations to implement these strategies through national development policies and post-2012 climate agreements and/or policy measures. A consortium composed of Climate Focus, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and UNIQUE Forestry Consultants (UNIQUE) examined: (i) the role of agricultural mitigation practices for greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement and food production through extensive economic modeling of the land-use sector (ii) existing and proposed market-based projects and policies that engage the private sector in agricultural mitigation and adaptation activities in developing countries through the short, medium and long-term (post-2020) (iii) feasible climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices with an assessment of their design, scope, effectiveness and relevant barriers