Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Agroforestry and Ecosystem Conservation

Abstract

Climate change adaptation and mitigation are usually the objects of separate projects, but in this review we argue that in agricultural contexts, there are often technical and fi nancial advantages in pursuing them simultaneously. This is because (1) adaptation planning is often necessary for mitigation (i.e., carbon sequestration) planning, especially for assessing future climate risks to mitigation investments, (2) certain land-use interventions can have both adaptation and mitigation bene fi ts, and (3) carbon fi nance can help in supporting adaptation which still tends to be underfunded. Agroforestry and ecosystem conservation are key approaches in the integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation objectives, often generating signi fi cant co-bene fi ts for local ecosystems and biodiversity. Synergies between climate change adaptation and mitigation actions are particularly likely in projects involving income diversi fi cation with tree and forest products, reduction of the susceptibility of land-use systems to extreme weather events, improvement of soil fertility, fi re management, wind breaks, and the conservation and restoration of forest and riparian corridors, wetlands, and mangroves. On the other hand, trade-offs between adaptation and mitigation are possible when fast-growing tree monocultures for mitigation con fl ict with local tree and forest uses, making livelihoods more vulnerable, when trees are planted in water-scarce areas con fl icting with local water uses, and in some cases when "climate-smart" agroforestry practices con fl ict with the need for agricultural intensi fi cation to produce increasing amounts of food for a growing population. Such con fl icts need to be avoided through careful, site-speci fi c, and participatory project development. We conclude that adaptation considerations should be included in mitigation project planning and integrated adaptation and mitigation activities should be prioritized in carbon markets and policy formation.

Traditional agriculture: a climate-smart approach for sustainable food production

“…Carbon sequestration through agroforestry influenced by several factors such as type of agroecosystems, tree species, age of tree species, geographical location, environmental factors and management practices (Jose 2009). Tree components in crop fields reduce the severity of extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes and tropical storms (Lin 2011;Matocha et al 2012). Trees in fields serve as the windbreaks and shelter belts (Lasco et al 2014).…”

Exploring Opportunities for Promoting Synergies between Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Forest Carbon Initiatives

“…Both mitigation and adaptation can benefit from these relationships. First, carbon storage through avoided deforestation and forest degradation is more likely to be permanent if it integrates the adaptation needs of communities and forest ecosystems [8,9]. Second, integrating adaptation needs is an incentive and motivation for local people to accept carbon projects, thus a guarantee of sustainability [10].…”

Using REDD+ Policy to Facilitate Climate Adaptation at the Local Level: Synergies and Challenges in Vietnam

“…There has been increasing concern in recent years for the need to link climate mitigation and adaptation policies together, particularly with regard to forests [1,2]. Forest policies to respond to climate change often involve either mitigation actions, such as biological carbon sequestration, to access and mobilize resources like land, trees, water, fish and other means of livelihood [29,30].…”