Reconciling global sustainability targets and local action for food production and climate change mitigation

Juliana D.B. Gil, Vassilis Daioglou*, Martin van Ittersum, Pytrik Reidsma, Jonathan C. Doelman, Corina E. van Middelaar, Detlef P. van Vuuren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) imply country-led implementation. Yet, their achievement depends on sustainability targets compatible across different sectors and scales. Our study examines how the GHG emission intensity of agriculture (EIA) should evolve globally, regionally (Western Europe) and nationally (The Netherlands) under different socioeconomic pathways, so that two major aims of SDGs 2 and 13 (i.e. sufficient food production and climate change mitigation) are achieved simultaneously. Results show that, by 2050, relative to 2010 values, EIA should decrease at all three levels when measured on a product basis (GHG emissions per ton dry matter) and on a land basis (GHG emissions per ha). This indicates that, globally, agriculture should be intensified per unit area, while in Western Europe and even more so in the Netherlands additional emission reductions require increased production efficiency and lower production volumes. Projected reductions in methane and nitrous oxide emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management and fertilizer application in Dutch agriculture are much higher than what would be achieved through the extrapolation of current trends. Given the high costs of increasing production efficiency further, our analysis indicates the need for significantly more ambitious policy targets and systemic changes, including reduced consumption of animal-sourced food. Besides shedding light on the interaction between climate and agricultural strategies, our analysis illustrates the application of cross-scale thinking in the operationalization of the SDG agenda and underscores the need for concerted action amongst countries.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101983
JournalGlobal Environmental Change
Volume59
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Funding

This study was developed in the context of the research project Targets for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture – TSARA , funded by the EU Joint Programming Initiative under the FACCE SURPLUS call (project no. 3183600230).

Keywords

  • Agriculture
  • Cross-scale analysis
  • Scenario analysis
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • Trade-offs

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