Carbon Brief

Extract

Global food systems are responsible for around one third of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions each year.

Agriculture is also, by far, the biggest driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Producing less meat, using less synthetic fertiliser, stopping food waste and integrating nature into farms are among the ways that scientists say can reduce environmental harms from producing food.

However, some critics of these approaches note the possible trade-offs, such as lower yields compared to “conventional” forms of intensive farming.

Various terms are used to describe these more “climate-friendly” ways of farming.

Some of these practices have set definitions and are evidence-based, while others are buzzwords whose meanings vary depending on the source. Many share similar approaches.

To break through the jargon, Carbon Brief has identified 25 commonly discussed climate-relevant farming methods and key terms.

Definitions are largely drawn from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the US Department of Agriculture, scientific studies and NGOs.