Agriculture Asia’s path to a greener future
Globally, agriculture represents 24% of total GHG emissions owing to existing carbon-intensive farming methods and land use changes. 10 Asia accounts for the lion’s share of these emissions, which significantly contribute to climate change and its related risks. It is the largest producer of rice, a crop that is responsible for 12% of global methane emissions. 11 Excessive use of synthetic fertilisers and energy in agricultural production is also common, leading to considerable nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Moreover, rapid economic growth has created a booming middle class, which in turn has increased per-head demand for animal proteins, a GHG intensive product. 12 This sector is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Adverse climatic conditions, such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, droughts and destructive storms, threaten food supply chains in the region. 13 About 6.5m acres of crops and orchards were affected by the 2022 floods in Pakistan. 14 Technological innovations that boost climate-resilient farming, meat and dairy alternatives, and agro-ecological practices are becoming necessary to decarbonise the sector.
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