Agricultural carbon sequestration has the potential to substantially mitigate global warming impacts. According to Tim LaSalle, CEO Rodale Institute, organic agriculture, if practiced on the planet’s 3.5 billion tillable acres, could sequester nearly 40 percent of current CO2 emissions. “We call this approach regenerative organic agriculture to signify its focus on renewing resources through complementary biological systems which feed and improve the soil as well as avoiding harmful synthetic inputs.”
Regenerative organic farming, focused on enhancing long-term biological interactions, turns soil into a carbon reservoir, while conventional farming with large chemical imputs has the opposite effect of releasing carbon into the atmosphere. In addition, organic management also changes the structure of the soil, improving its ability to store water and deliver nutrients to plants over time as soil carbon levels continue to increase. Rodale research shows that no-till organic farming can reduce the energy input into farming by about 70 percent. Further, organic food offers health advantages and has become a lifestyle choice in many societies.
For these interconnected reasons, much more policy assistance for the organic sector is needed. Case studies (UNCTAD 2008, IFOAM 2008) have shown that the development of organic farming has, so far, been initiated mainly by NGOs or private companies. Still, governments should play an important role in providing a supportive framework for organic farming. Policy strategies should consist of a combination of market supply and demand measures. Since appropriate measures depend on the state of the organic agriculture market in the respective country, an in-depth integrated assessment of existing agriculture policies should be the first step.
Click here to read more about WFC Councillor Vandana Shiva’s projects to support organic farming in India.
Based on this initial assessment a selection of policies should be considered:
Bio waste
An area particularly worthy of state support is the recycling of urban bio-waste into organic fertilizers. This contributes to sanitation and environmental protection, and it provides carbon storing materials for farms. To trigger this process, governments could give financial incentives (e.g. low-interest loans) to recycling plant operators, or to erect recycling plants under state supervision.
Certification
A way to directly support organic food producers is to compensate them for certification costs. In Denmark, Thailand and Malaysia, government certification is for free for farmers, and in Tunisia the Government covers up to 70 percent of certification costs. Producer organizations can be supported to organize efficient distribution of processed bio-wastes.
Standards
On the demand side, Government can support the development of a domestic organic standard. More than 70 countries have enacted such standards. Governments must carefully assess how appropriate standards can be initiated and harmonized with international reference standards, based on the recommendations of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture.
Education
Government can also play a strong role regarding consumer education by drawing attention to the health and environmental benefits of organic products. To this end, organic agriculture can be introduced to the mandatory curriculums in schools and universities in agricultural regions.
Market space
Local Governments can also promote organic foods by allocating space in open markets and in trade fairs. Integrating organics into public procurement (e.g. for schools and hospitals) stimulates market demand and improves public information and consumer exposure.
Case Study: Costa Rica
One of the developing countries with the highest proportion of organic farming, 2.4 per cent certified, Costa Rica has a well-developed organic sector. As in most other countries, small farmers and NGOs were the first to get involved in organic agriculture. Local certification bodies and academics have also supported its development. In 2004, there were 3,500 farmers cultivating 10,800 hectares organically. Most certified organic production is for the export market, which is estimated to be worth US$ 10 million. Main export crops include coffee, banana, cocoa, orange juice, blackberries, pineapple, cane sugar, aloe and other medicinal plants. In the domestic market, there is now a supply of most products, certified and uncertified. The domestic sales are estimated to be US$ 1.5 million.
Lack of produce is a limiting factor for further market development. Various government programmes and institutions support most aspects of the sector, including domestic and export market development, food processing, credits and extension service. The National Organic Agriculture Programme was established in 1999 and, together with the sector, the agency developed a national strategy for organic production based on participatory consultations. Since 2001, there has been a mandatory organic regulation in place and Costa Rica is the only developing country, other than Argentina and India, which has acquired recognition for exports of organic products to the European Union. There is also a governmental seal available for all certified producers; however, it is not yet widely recognized. There are two domestic certification organizations and four foreign ones active in Costa Rica, with the domestic ones having the most clients. The sector is organized through one organization and collaboration between the sector and the Government is very well developed.
2013 Future Policy Award celebrates world’s best disarmament policies
Press release – for immediate release
World Future Council partners with the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs Hamburg
Hamburg/New York, 19 March – The World Future Council is pleased to announce that this year’s Future Policy Award will celebrate the world’s best disarmament policies. The World Future Council is collaborating with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs to encourage new thinking on disarmament and to advance common solutions to this global problem.
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Powering Africa through feed-in Tariffs
Abstract
Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs (REFiTs) have been successful at increasing the use of renewable technologies worldwide. REFiTs encourage investment in renewable energy generation – from individual home owners and communities to big companies – by guaranteeing to buy and pay for all the electricity produced.
While the majority of these installations have occurred in industrialised countries, particularly Europe, the African continent has significant untapped renewable energy potential. REFiTs have the potential to transform energy systems and societies in profound and tangible ways.
The Monetary Cost of the Non-Use of Renewable Energies (Update 2017)
Abstract
It is often claimed that renewables are still too costly and not yet competitive with conventional energy sources. But what costs are incurred when renewable energies are not used? Every day during which potential renewable energy sources are not utilised but exhaustible fossil fuels burnt instead speeds up the depletion of these non-renewable fuels. Using burnt fossil fuels for nonenergy related purposes (e.g. in the petro-chemical industry) in the future is obviously impossible. Thus, their burning – whenever they could have been replaced by renewables – is costly capital destruction. This study concludes that, estimated conservatively, the future usage loss resulting from our current oil, gas and coal consumption is between 3.2 and 3.4 trillion US Dollars per year.
Forests for People
Abstract
With this book, we want to offer insights into good solutions for the challenges of our time. Not everything in Rwanda is working, and we want to make it clear that we do not support all political measures of the country. Our engagement in Rwanda was preceded by an intensive evaluation process, at the end of which the country’s forest policy was awarded with the Future Policy Award for 2011. However, the conference in Kigali showed us that in addition to the scientific analysis, “seeing is believing” holds true for us as well. Experiencing the reality gives us greater motivation. For this reason, it was important not just to sit in a conference room with experts from Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia but also to travel the country, talk to people and experience real solutions first hand.
Organic farming solutions
Agricultural carbon sequestration has the potential to substantially mitigate global warming impacts. According to Tim LaSalle, CEO Rodale Institute, organic agriculture, if practiced on the planet’s 3.5 billion tillable acres, could sequester nearly 40 percent of current CO2 emissions. “We call this approach regenerative organic agriculture to signify its focus on renewing resources through complementary biological systems which feed and improve the soil as well as avoiding harmful synthetic inputs.”
Regenerative organic farming, focused on enhancing long-term biological interactions, turns soil into a carbon reservoir, while conventional farming with large chemical imputs has the opposite effect of releasing carbon into the atmosphere. In addition, organic management also changes the structure of the soil, improving its ability to store water and deliver nutrients to plants over time as soil carbon levels continue to increase. Rodale research shows that no-till organic farming can reduce the energy input into farming by about 70 percent. Further, organic food offers health advantages and has become a lifestyle choice in many societies.
For these interconnected reasons, much more policy assistance for the organic sector is needed. Case studies (UNCTAD 2008, IFOAM 2008) have shown that the development of organic farming has, so far, been initiated mainly by NGOs or private companies. Still, governments should play an important role in providing a supportive framework for organic farming. Policy strategies should consist of a combination of market supply and demand measures. Since appropriate measures depend on the state of the organic agriculture market in the respective country, an in-depth integrated assessment of existing agriculture policies should be the first step.
Click here to read more about WFC Councillor Vandana Shiva’s projects to support organic farming in India.
Based on this initial assessment a selection of policies should be considered:
An area particularly worthy of state support is the recycling of urban bio-waste into organic fertilizers. This contributes to sanitation and environmental protection, and it provides carbon storing materials for farms. To trigger this process, governments could give financial incentives (e.g. low-interest loans) to recycling plant operators, or to erect recycling plants under state supervision.
A way to directly support organic food producers is to compensate them for certification costs. In Denmark, Thailand and Malaysia, government certification is for free for farmers, and in Tunisia the Government covers up to 70 percent of certification costs. Producer organizations can be supported to organize efficient distribution of processed bio-wastes.
On the demand side, Government can support the development of a domestic organic standard. More than 70 countries have enacted such standards. Governments must carefully assess how appropriate standards can be initiated and harmonized with international reference standards, based on the recommendations of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture.
Government can also play a strong role regarding consumer education by drawing attention to the health and environmental benefits of organic products. To this end, organic agriculture can be introduced to the mandatory curriculums in schools and universities in agricultural regions.
Local Governments can also promote organic foods by allocating space in open markets and in trade fairs. Integrating organics into public procurement (e.g. for schools and hospitals) stimulates market demand and improves public information and consumer exposure.
Case Study: Costa Rica
One of the developing countries with the highest proportion of organic farming, 2.4 per cent certified, Costa Rica has a well-developed organic sector. As in most other countries, small farmers and NGOs were the first to get involved in organic agriculture. Local certification bodies and academics have also supported its development. In 2004, there were 3,500 farmers cultivating 10,800 hectares organically. Most certified organic production is for the export market, which is estimated to be worth US$ 10 million. Main export crops include coffee, banana, cocoa, orange juice, blackberries, pineapple, cane sugar, aloe and other medicinal plants. In the domestic market, there is now a supply of most products, certified and uncertified. The domestic sales are estimated to be US$ 1.5 million.
Lack of produce is a limiting factor for further market development. Various government programmes and institutions support most aspects of the sector, including domestic and export market development, food processing, credits and extension service. The National Organic Agriculture Programme was established in 1999 and, together with the sector, the agency developed a national strategy for organic production based on participatory consultations. Since 2001, there has been a mandatory organic regulation in place and Costa Rica is the only developing country, other than Argentina and India, which has acquired recognition for exports of organic products to the European Union. There is also a governmental seal available for all certified producers; however, it is not yet widely recognized. There are two domestic certification organizations and four foreign ones active in Costa Rica, with the domestic ones having the most clients. The sector is organized through one organization and collaboration between the sector and the Government is very well developed.
How does agriculture contribute to climate change?
Modern agriculture, food production and distribution are major contributors of greenhouse gases: Agriculture is directly responsible for 14 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, and broader rural land use decisions have an even larger impact. Deforestation currently accounts for an additional 18 per cent of emissions.
In this context, a historical perspective needs to be considered: Dr. Rattan Lal, Professor of Soil Science at Ohio State University, has calculated that over the last 150 years, 476 billions of tonnes of carbon has been emitted from farmland soils due to inappropriate farming and grazing practices, compared with ‘only’ 270 Gt emitted from of burning of fossil fuels. A more frequently quoted figure is that 200 to 250 Gt of carbon have been lost from the biosphere as a whole in the last 300 years. Whatever the correct figure, these reductions of ‘living carbon potential’ have resulted from
Land use changes can also significantly contribute to climate change. Large scale changes such as deforestation, soil erosion or machine-intensive farming methods may all contribute to increased carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. Soil erosion by water, wind and tillage affects both agriculture and the natural environment. Soil loss, and its associated impacts, is one of the most important (yet probably the least well-known) of today’s environmental problems.
The contribution of farm animals to global greenhouse gas emissions is quite significant:
Best Oceans Policies Awarded at UN Biodiversity Summit
Press release – for immediate release
Best Oceans Policies Awarded at UN Biodiversity Summit – International organisations celebrate the Republic of Palau, Namibia and the Philippines in Hyderabad, India.
Hyderabad, 17 October 2012: In a well orchestrated ceremony the Future Policy Award 2012 for best policies to protect oceans and coasts was bestowed on the Republic of Palau, the Philippines and Namibia on Tuesday night. In the Hyderabad International Convention Center, Palau was honoured with the Gold Award in recognition of two outstanding marine policies, the Protected Areas Network Act, initiated in 2003, and the Shark Haven Act from 2009. The two Silver Awards were given to the Philippines for its Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act from 2010 and to Namibia for its Marine Resources Act from 2000. The ceremony was convened by the World Future Council, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Okeanos Foundation.
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Future Policy Award 2012: Oceans and Coasts
Abstract
The WFC chose oceans and coasts as the topic for the Future Policy Award 2012 to highlight policies that contribute to the sustainable management of the world’s oceans and coastal resources, whilst tackling the loss of marine and coastal biodiversity. Decision-makers have a critical role to play, poor management of marine environment is the root cause of biodiversity loss and degradation of these vital ecosystems.
Designing Future Just Laws on Biodiversity
Abstract
Future Just laws must embody the highest standard of sustainability, respect for human rights, and respect for the environment. This training material for government officials and parliamentarians presents an approach to drafting and preparing a Future Just biodiversity law for a technical audience, with the aim of supporting national focal point officials or other government officials tasked with preparing biodiversity legislation.
A Future for Gulf Cities
Abstract
There is no better place to discuss the future for Gulf cities than in Dubai. This city shows us both what can be done and what must be done. Its growth from a small trading port on the edge of the desert to a global city in just a few decades shows the power of visionary leadership. This gives us hope that this city can, in the coming decades, mobilise the same vision and energy to regenerate itself into a pioneering post-modern city, using its resources and ingenuity to show how to win the coming battle for sustainability to which Maurice Strong refers.