Reported policies and measures; Agriculture

1. Reported policies and measures; Agriculture Heikki Granholm Programme Officer UNFCCC MIS Programme

2. Overview • Emission trends in agriculture sector • Portfolio of reported PAMs • PAMs with wider policy objectives • PAMs targeting specific activities • Research-based PAMs • PAMs having negative impact • Additional findings

3. Emission trends in agriculture sector • In 2000 agriculture represented 7 % of all emissions compared to 8 % in 1990, but total emissions from agriculture have increased by 1% from 1990 to 2000[Note 8% decrease among 39 Parties] • From 1990 to 2000; 17 % increase in ESP, 8 % in USA and 3 % in CAN • From 1990 to 2000; more then 10% decrease in AUT, CZE, EST, FIN, JPN, LVA, POL, SVK • Further reductions expected in AUT, FRA, FIN, HRV, POL, but increases expected in CAN, CZE, NOR, NZL, USA

4. Portfolio of reported PAMs • About 40 PAMs included; half already implemented, about a third adopted and remaining planned • Most PAM impact both N2O and CH4 emissions, some impact also CO2 sequestration

5. PAMs with wider policy objectives • Commonly reported, aiming to reduce harmful environmental impacts and to promote sustainability (integration) • E.g. Common Agriculture Policy (EU), ecological or agriculture (AUT, BEL, EST, CHE), rural development (BEL), environment stewardship initiative (CAN) • Difficulties in quantifying GHG impacts (direct and indirect)

6. PAMs targeting specific activities • More focussed, easier to quantify GHG impacts • Addressing nitrate pollution and N2O emissions from applications of nitrate fertilizer and animal manure to agriculture soils; • E.g. Manure action plan (BEL), EC nitrates directive (EU), agriculture environment support (FIN), soil emissions and taxation of N-production (FRA), animal waste management and use of fertilizer (NZL), nutrient management (USA)

7. Addressing CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation in livestock; reduction of livestock numbers and intensifying farming practices (BEL, SVK, FRA, NZL). • Promotion of sequestration including afforestation and conservation programmes on surplus agricultural lands [LUCF sector] (CAN, CZE, ESP) • Reduction of CO2 emissions, including promotion of biomass as renewable energy (AUT, SWE)

8. Research-based PAMs • Could be research activities in general, with specific objectives or focussing on methods • E.g. Reduce N2O from soils and fertilizer use (CAN), reduce CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation through fodder management and introduction of enteric bacteria, increased understanding of dynamics and monitoring of GHGs • Have a potential to provide new technologies and identify new policies.

9. PAMs that have negative impacts • Agriculture intensification will likely increase CH4 emissions from manure management (NZL) and N2O from fertilizer use (CAN) • Production of nitrogenous fertilizers is also very energy intensive (CAN) • GHG impact of increased agriculture productivity depends on national circumstances

10. Additional findings • Only a little information how impacts of PAMs are monitored • Estimates of effects of PAMs were largely based on macroeconomic predictions of economic activity, livestock numbers and fertilizer use • Uncertainties in N2O and CH4 estimates