20 May 2013: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) program have released a paper that explores options for national mitigation planning processes and their role in agricultural development.

The publication, titled “National Integrated Mitigation Planning in Agriculture: A Review Paper,” reviews agreements under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on mitigation planning and differentiates between Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and Low Emissions Development Strategies (LEDS). In particular, the paper compares the 32 LEDS developed in 18 countries with 62 NAMAs produced in the agriculture sectors of 30 countries. The paper describes the contradictions between the large number of agricultural activities in NAMA submissions, and the fact that only a few agricultural NAMAs have received financing.

The paper suggests building blocks for NAMA development around technical, policy and institutional dimensions. On technical building blocks, it highlights the importance of: baselines and business as usual scenarios; estimates of mitigation potential; barriers to adoption; and policies and measures. Policy priorities identified include: clarifying policy priorities; aligning climate policy; setting NAMA priorities and targets; and securing domestic support. Finally, important institutional dimensions include: developing institutional arrangements for coordination; engaging stakeholders; developing financial institutions; and creating monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems.

CCAFS is a program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [Publication: National Integrated Mitigation Planning in Agriculture: A Review Paper] [CCAFS Press Release]