Organic agriculture and climate change

This article discusses the mitigation and adaptation potential of organic agricultural systems along three main features:farming system design, cropland management and grassland and livestock management. An important potential contributionof organically managed systems to climate change mitigation is identified in the careful management of nutrients and,hence, the reduction of N2O emissions from soils. Another high mitigation potential of organic agriculture lies in carbonsequestration in soils. In a first estimate, the emission reduction potential by abstention from mineral fertilizers is calculatedto be about 20% and the compensation potential by carbon sequestration to be about 40–72% of the world’s current annualagricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but further research is needed to consolidate these numbers. On theadaptation side, organic agriculture systems have a strong potential for building resilient food systems in the face ofuncertainties, through farm diversification and building soil fertility with organic matter. Additionally, organic agricultureoffers alternatives to energy-intensive production inputs such as synthetic fertilizers which are likely to be further limitedfor poor rural populations by rising energy prices. In developing countries, organic agricultural systems achieve equal oreven higher yields, as compared to the current conventional practices, which translate into a potentially important option forfood security and sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor in times of climate change. Certified organic products cater forhigher income options for farmers and, therefore, can serve as promoters for climate-friendly farming practices worldwide