Map strengthens international relationships to reduce the impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector

From February 21st to 24th, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) participated in the Methane Workshop, in Paris, the French capital. At the event, promoted by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), an organization linked to the UN Environment Program (UNEP/UN), knowledge and experiences were shared on reducing methane emissions around the world.

Mapa's Secretary of Innovation, Sustainable Development, Irrigation and Cooperatives, Renata Miranda, presented the work on innovation and sustainable technologies already used in Brazilian agriculture, with emphasis on the Public Sectoral Policy for Agriculture and Livestock on Climate Change, the ABC+ Plan.

In the case of reducing methane emissions in Brazil, technologies that have been used in the country were presented, such as genetic improvement of livestock and pastures, best management practices, treatment of animal waste and intensive finishing, fundamental practices for adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change. Such actions are continually improved through public policies and new perspectives on international cooperation that help the sector with research, development and innovation.

“We have sustainable solutions in Brazilian agriculture that minimize the impacts of climate change and contribute to the goals set out in the Global Methane Agreement. We have already made progress in sustainable intensification in livestock farming, as we reduce methane emissions per animal and, at the same time, increase productivity. Brazil is a fundamental part of the solutions to this global challenge”, says Renata Miranda.

The inclusion of tropical science in international forums is essential to balance and deepen discussions related to food security in the context of the impacts that the agricultural sector may suffer from climate change. The workshop is important not only to exchange experiences, but to show the world the commitment of Brazilian rural producers to sustainable production. Sustainability adds value and opens up new market opportunities.

The Mapa delegation also included the participation of the director of the Department of Sustainable Production and Irrigation (Depros/SDI), Sibelle de Andrade Silva, and the superintendent of Strategy at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Bruno Brasil.

The event was attended by 20 countries that signed the Global Methane Agreement (https://www.globalmethanepledge.org/), agreed at the 26th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26), in 2021. The agreement foresees, by 2030, the promotion of voluntary actions to reduce global methane gas emissions by at least 30% in relation to 2020 levels. Meeting the target could reduce global warming by more than 0,2˚C by 2050.