Food & Land use

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^‍Proteins from animals

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Animal proteins contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, in multiple ways. Next to producing methane, cows consume a lot more food than they produce (they operate at an 8:1 efficiency vs 4:1 for pigs and 2:1 for chickens), requiring much more crop production compared to a plant-based diet. Fishing practices, often using diesel-powered boats, emit significant greenhouse gases and reduce fish populations, which otherwise help absorb carbon. Additionally, the demand for animal proteins drives most deforestation (to grow the soy they eat), especially in tropical areas, leading to both CO2 emissions and biodiversity loss. 

₀₁ Food waste reduction

An estimated 25% of all animals raised for food are never eaten.* Scientists think that food waste can be reduced to the point that it saves 6-8% of GHG emissions due to lower production volumes. Innovations underway include organic coatings and electricity-based methods to extend fruit and vegetable shelf life, software for precise fresh product ordering by supermarkets and restaurants, and technologies to collect data on food waste to drive operational improvements.
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₀₂ Low-GHG proteins

Plant-based protein sources have a much lower GHG footprint. A new generation of technology is getting them to taste, price and nutritional parity by using healthier ingredients, developing machines to match texture, and even making the exact same molecules as found in meat and cheese with precision fermentation. 
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₀₃ Reducing methane emissions from livestock

Revolutionizing the diet of cows with feed supplements that help them digest food could make a substantial impact, with recent trials showing the reduction of methane formation in their stomachs by up to 90% per day of feeding.* In addition, promising developments in vaccine technology are emerging as another solution to diminish methane emissions from livestock. 

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Crops for human use

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Emissions from crop production for direct human consumption contribute to 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This percentage is primarily attributed to the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, resulting in the release of nitrous oxide (1%), and methane emissions from flooded paddy rice cultivation (2%). Additionally, agricultural machinery contributes to carbon dioxide emissions (1%), further increasing the sector's environmental impact. Fortunately, these sources of emissions can be reduced relatively easily and are limited to certain niches. 

There are already numerous examples of near-zero emission crop production in practice. This is important, since crop production for human consumption will only increase, especially if we switch to more plant-based diets.

₀₁ Smart agriculture

Smart agriculture integrates innovative technologies to revolutionize farming practices. This includes using satellite data and data analytics for precision farming methods, and optimizing resource use. It also involves targeted fertilizer application to prevent the release of nitrous oxide, and the electrification of agricultural machinery to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy alternatives.
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₀₂ Green fertilizer

Innovative solutions are emerging to tackle the challenge of CO2 emissions from fertilizer production, which currently relies on natural gas. One such solution is the production of green fertilizers using renewable energy. Another approach involves the use of bacteria that can biologically enhance soil fertility, reducing the need for traditional fertilizers.
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₀₃ Regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction as a key method to reduce CO2 emissions from soil, a side effect of conventional farming. An important practice is no-till farming, which, unlike traditional tilling, minimizes soil disturbance and carbon release. Additionally, better management of rice paddies using techniques like alternate wetting and drying could significantly cut the methane emissions in this industry.
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Ecosystems and Forestry

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Deforestation and soil degradation extend beyond agriculture, driven by activities like logging, mining, urban growth, and wildfires. Climate change, by increasing temperature and droughts, is leading to more frequent and intense wildfires. This doesn’t only threaten forests but also other carbon and methane rich areas like peatlands and tundras, which could become enormous sources of greenhouse gas emissions if we fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

₀₁ Ecosystem protection and restoration

Ecosystems are critical in absorbing greenhouse gases, with forests, peatlands, and ocean habitats absorbing more than half of man-made carbon emissions. Increasing protection and restoring these natural spaces, including forest management and wetland preservation, is key to mitigating climate change. Such efforts not only capture carbon and strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change but also support biodiversity, addressing two heavily interlinked environmental crises.
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₀₂ Fire management

Fire management is a key component of both climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Technological advancements are being developed in two main areas: fire prevention and fire suppression. For prevention, tools like satellite imagery and analytics enable early wildfire detection, while technologies to identify combustible materials help avert potential fire outbreaks. For suppression, innovative methods, including the use of drones, are being employed to efficiently control the spread of fires.
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