Guide dealing with the process of measuring the carbon footprint of products along the value chain, known as Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs), in the agri-food sector - provides an introduction to (PCF); outlines various types of PCF schemes and initiatives; describes steps involved in calculating PCFs, illustrating each step through case study examples; presents methodological issues and problems in calculating PCFs with a focus on data, uncertainty and issues particularly relevant to developing countries; gives an overview of potential mitigation measures; appendices include links to relevant websites, a glossary of related terms, and a list of frequently asked questions.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.
Agriculture accounts for 13 per cent of global GHG emissions. This rises to approximately 30 per cent if land clearance for farming, agrochemical production and trade in agricultural and food products are attributed to the sector. Market based mechanisms (carbon tax, cap and trade, payment for environmental services) and voluntary mitigation measures (carbon labelling and food miles) are reviewed for their effectiveness (if they reduce emissions), efficiency (the costs of the measures) and equity (fairness to suppliers). Measures to reduce agricultural emissions are limited in their effectiveness and efficiency by the technical difficulty and high costs of measuring, reporting and verification. However, pricing carbon would be effective in internalizing negative externalities in the transport, processing, retail and consumer purchase and preparation of food. The Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model is used to illustrate that a US$ 40 carbon tax implemented in the EU would have little negative impact on developing country exporters of agricultural products due to their low carbon intensity.
This paper provides key information about the North American natural products market with a special focus on selected South American and African products. Natural products in the North American market have experienced strong market growth in the last decade as consumers increasingly demand nutritional and cosmetic products derived from natural sources. This paper provides an overview of the market including a description of products, prices and distribution channels, as well as requirements for access in terms of regulations, standards, product presentation and application forms.
Green growth is vital to secure a brighter, more sustainable future for developing countries. Developing countries will pay a high price for failing to tackle local and global environmental threats because they are more dependent on natural resources and are more vulnerable to resources scarcity and natural disasters.
This book presents evidence that green growth is the only way to sustain growth and development over the long-term. Green growth does not replace sustainable development, but is a means to achieve it. Green growth values natural assets, which are essential to the well-being and livelihoods of people in developing countries, and if policies are designed to respond to the needs of the poorest, green growth can contribute to poverty reduction and social equity.
Green economy has been proposed as a means for catalysing national policy development and international cooperation to respond to climate change related crises and support sustainable development. The concept has received significant international attention over the past few years, which has resulted in a rapidly expanding literature on the topic. Despite the growing international interest in green economy, negotiations among countries on the concept in the lead up to the Rio+20 conference were challenging, partly due to the lack of an internationally agreed definition or universal principles. This document provides an overview of recent literature on green economy and the related concepts of green growth and low carbon development. In most cases, a web link and citation have been included allowing the reader to easily access more information on the issue.