Page 102 - FAO-IPCC Expert meeting on climate change

Appendix 01: Speakers’ summary notes
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Adaptation of African Agriculture to climate change: from concept to action
PROF. MOHAMED BADRAOUI, INRA-MOROCCO
PLENARY SESSION 8:
REGIONAL AND GLOBAL INITIATIVES IN ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE IN FOOD PRODUCTION AND LAND USE
Summary
The Conference of Parties (COP21) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in December 2015, resulted in a breakthrough: the promise by developed countries to mobilize “at least US$100 billion a year” for the benefit of developing countries over 2020-2030. These funds will finance, in equal shares, mitigation projects and projects designed to adapt to climate change. The Conference of Parties in Marrakech in November 2016 (COP22) presented an opportunity to launch an initiative for the adaptation of agriculture. Stakeholders had strong expectations for COP22 on the actual implementation of the Paris Agreement’s commitments. They took into account the needs and priorities of developing countries, notably in Africa, one of the world’s most vulnerable continents and the one worst affected by climate change. The Paris Agreement also acknowledges the importance of food security, a first step toward recognizing agriculture as an integral part of the solution in the fight against climate change.
As the host country of COP22, Morocco has launched an initiative for Adaptation of Agriculture in Africa (AAA). It aims to make African agriculture adaptation one of the priorities on the COP22 agenda, recognizing that adaptation can only benefit mitigation efforts. Improving agricultural productivity and practices, notably in soil and water management, can also contribute to soil carbon sequestration and to reducing deforestation. Agroforestry is a good example of adaptation to climate change, with direct mitigation impacts. It is, therefore, important that a substantial share of climate fund investment is directed towards improving agricultural productivity to help fight against climate change and support food security.
Given the positive effects of good agricultural practices on climate change mitigation, and the significant yield improvement potential in Africa, African agriculture should be considered a global common good to be protected and developed. Available data show that Africa represents about 30 percent of global mitigation potential from forests and 20 percent from soils. Around 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land is in Africa, while across the continent potential gains in agricultural productivity could be multiplied by 500 percent on average.
However, Africa receives a tiny share (less than 5 percent) of funds allocated to counter climate change, far short of what it deserves. Adaptation benefits from less than 20 percent of the public funds assigned to climate, while the Paris Agreement aims “to achieve a balance [of financial resources] between adaptation and mitigation”. With less than
4 percent of public climate funds, agriculture is one of the sectors that is least prepared to combat climate change and its effects.
The AAA attracts only a small amount of international funds but remains the most vulnerable to climate change. It is now acknowledged that a temperature increase of 2°C in Africa will lead to a decrease in agricultural yields ranging from 15 percent to 20 percent by 2050.
The AAA Initiative will serve as a platform to support the capacity of African countries to develop, formulate and implement adaptation projects backed by climate funds. The initiative supports the principle of monitoring funds effectively disbursed for adaptation and agriculture in Africa, as well as facilitating access to those funds. The AAA Initiative has a facilitation role and can accelerate the development and funding of adaptation projects for those African countries with limited human capacity.
The AAA Initiative also has a solution-oriented component within the Global Climate Action Agenda of the UNFCCC. The objective is to show that African agriculture is part of the solution in halting climate change. The solutions relate to four programmes adapted to the specific situation and priorities of agricultural productivity and food security in Africa.
FAO-IPCC Expert meeting on climate change, land use and food security