Author
Wollenberg, Eva K.Higman SSeeberg-Elverfeldt, CNeely, ConstanceTapio-Bistrom, M.L.Neufeldt, Henry
Organization
CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security
Key messages:
- Smallholder farmers can contribute significantly to climate change mitigation but will need incentives to adapt their practices.
- Incentives from selling carbon credits are limited by low returns to farmers, high transaction costs, and the need for farmers to invest in mitigation activities long before they receive payments.
- Improved food security, economic benefits and adaptation to climate change are more fundamental incentives that should accompany mitigation.
- Designing agricultural investment and policy to provide up-front finance and longer term rewards for mitigation practices will help reach larger numbers of farmers than specialized mitigation interventions.