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Knowledge4Policy
KNOWLEDGE FOR POLICY

Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

Publication | 2021

The Shortest Path: Accelerating Investment Towards Carbon-Neutral Agrifood Systems

As the world gears up to fight climate change, agrifood systems are expected to play their part. The sector is increasingly being targeted and curbing emissions is becoming a key global investment and policy theme.

With the objective to reduce the distance towards carbon-neutral agrifood systems, this Brief identifies 5 action areas:

  • Strategically target carbon neutrality. Policies, strategies and roadmaps with clear targets at central government and decentralized/sector level are important signals to agrifood systems players.

  • Improve tools and methods. The development and promotion of policies, strategies and roadmaps should be underpinned by methodologies and carbon footprint calculators that support data collection and estimation efforts.

  • Develop and promote sound governance mechanisms for low-carbon pathways. Increasing the accessibility of MRV systems and methods should be supported by sound governance mechanisms to ensure that these are appropriately endorsed and used by the private sector.

  • Direct support for decarbonization efforts. Costs for achieving carbon neutrality differ widely, both in terms of low-carbon pathways and whether these pathways are employed by large and small companies or smallholder farmers.

  • Develop capacities and share knowledge. Improved awareness raising can support carbon labelling and sustainable investing.

 

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