Climate and environment
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Climate and environment
Climate
Smallholder farmers and poor rural people bear the brunt of climate change and the degradation of natural resources. Extreme weather events, such as droughts, storms and floods, are putting pressure on the ecosystems that farmers depend on, as are gradual processes such as rising sea levels and melting glaciers.
Crop failures and livestock deaths are causing economic losses and undermining the food security of rural people with ever-greater frequency, especially in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
At the same time, the rapidly growing global population demands higher levels of food production. To meet the world’s growing needs, agricultural production must double by 2050, food waste must be reduced and value chains have to become sustainable and efficient.
The ecosystems on which smallholder farmers rely are increasingly undermined. Access to suitable agricultural land is declining, and forest, soil and water resources are increasingly restricted and degraded.
Many farmers produce on marginal, rainfed land, where water is increasingly scarce. Pollution and overexploitation are causing a serious decline in fish populations, threatening essential sources of income and nutrition.
Improving farming practices and safeguarding the environment
Poor farmers and fishers are guardians of natural resources. With targeted assistance, agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors can play a key role in tackling environmental degradation and climate change.
Improving land management and adjusting farming practices can help alleviate pressure on the environment and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Farming systems that embrace sustainable intensification practices can increase crop tolerance, diversify production and hinder environmental degradation.
Sustainable agricultural intensification
IFAD promotes agricultural growth that is environmentally sustainable and integrated into ecosystems. We help farmers and fishers become more resilient to the impact of climate change.
IFAD’s Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme is the largest global climate adaptation programme for smallholder farmers. We channel climate and environmental finance to smallholder farmers, helping them to reduce poverty, enhance biodiversity, increase yields and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
IFAD is also an executing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). These are among the main financial mechanisms for addressing the intertwined issues of poverty alleviation, sustainable ecosystem management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Through these programmes, IFAD works with our partners to scale up successful approaches to sustainable agricultural production and green value chains. These approaches build climate resilience by managing competing land-use systems while reducing poverty, enhancing biodiversity, increasing yields and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
In depth
In depth
Renewable energy
Spotlight
Spotlight
Rural Malawians on building back after Cyclone Freddy – Episode 59
A year on from Cyclone Freddy, hope is returning to Malawi’s farms. Tune in to hear directly from the small-scale farmers who are building back stronger with IFAD's support.
Initiatives and facilities
Asset Publisher
Jahan-Zeb Chowdhury
Lead Technical Specialist - Environment & Climate Cluster Coordinator
Nutrition View more link
Stories and news
Stories and news
Rural Malawians on building back after Cyclone Freddy – Episode 59
A year on from Cyclone Freddy, hope is returning to Malawi’s farms. Tune in to hear directly from the small-scale farmers who are building back stronger with IFAD's support.
After Cyclone Freddy, investment brings hope to rural Malawi
Rural Malawians are still rebuilding and coming to terms with Freddy’s impacts. But thanks to much-needed investments in small-scale farming, hope is finally starting to appear on the horizon.
Regenerative agriculture: from soil to sustainability – Episode 58
Hear from global leaders in regenerative agriculture – and learn how IFAD is leveraging their techniques to combat climate change in rural communities.
The three types of biodiversity: explained
Genetic, species, ecosystem: learn about the three main types of biodiversity and explore the role each plays in making agriculture productive, nutritious and resilient.
Climate View more link
Related publications
Related publications
Djibouti: Programme to Reduce Vulnerability in Coastal Fishing Areas
This programme bolsters Djibouti’s climate adaptation and resilience by bridging multiple sectors, including fisheries, rural development and gender. This required considered coordination and communication among diverse stakeholders.
Mali: Fostering Agricultural Productivity Project
This project introduced a range of renewable energy technologies to enhance the lives of rural people. Biogas digesters were coupled with latrines and slurry storage was developed. Sustainable bio slurry will replace chemical fertilizers, allowing households to save money and consume healthier foods. Biogas digesters also alleviate burdens on women and reduce deforestation.
Mozambique: Pro-Poor Value Chain Development in the Maputo and Limpopo Corridors
PROSUL introduced innovations across various value chains, including technology for vegetable production and improved cassava varieties. Moreover, the project built climate-resilient infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, multifunctional boreholes and cattle fairs.
Related documents
Related documents
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Contact us
For questions please contact Brian J. Thomson,
Knowledge Management and Communication Manager,
+39 0654592282 and mobile: +39 366 6121101, [email protected]