A new report from the World Bank and the International Food Policy Research Institute looked into farm subsidies and overall farm policies. The report says that repurposing current agricultural public policies “could deliver multiple benefits for people, the planet, and the economy.”
Investing in climate-smart innovations that both increase agricultural productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions would have many benefits. The recommended innovations could reduce overall emissions from agriculture by more than 40 percent, restore 105 million hectares of agricultural land to natural habitats, and reduce the cost of healthy foods, which would also contribute to better nutritional outcomes.”
Under a ”business as usual” scenario, the report estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production will double by 2040, with 56 million hectares of new land being used for agriculture between 2020 and 2040. It also says that just eliminating support would lower farm output and increase poverty while generating only modest climate gains.
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