A recent report suggests that double the amount spent on agricultural subsidies could be redirected towards more sustainable practices, such as replacing diesel irrigation pumps with solar alternatives, to significantly reduce agrifood emissions in India. Specifically, replacing a quarter of India’s 8.8 million diesel irrigation pumps with solar-powered ones could cut agrifood emissions by 11.5 million tonnes annually. This reduction is more than twice the amount of global emissions prevented by electric vehicles and solar panels in 2020, as per a new World Bank report focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agrifood systems.
The report, titled “Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System,” outlines actionable steps for countries to enhance food security, bolster the resilience of food systems against climate change, and safeguard vulnerable populations during this transition. Key among these actions are the necessary investments to halve agrifood emissions in order to achieve Net Zero goals.
The global agrifood system currently emits approximately 16 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases annually, amounting to about one-third of all global emissions, and is expected to continue expanding. Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director at the World Bank, highlights that while the food produced may be enjoyable, it also contributes significantly to climate change emissions.
The report underscores the agrifood system’s potential as a cost-effective avenue for climate action, as it has the capacity to both reduce emissions and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. In India, where 60 per cent of agrifood emissions originate from the farm gate, the adoption of renewable energy, particularly solar-powered irrigation systems, could substantially mitigate emissions. Notably, as of December 2020, over 272,000 solar-powered irrigation systems have been deployed in India.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes that 80 per cent of emission reductions in India’s agriculture sector could be achieved through cost-saving measures alone. The top ten emitters in the agrifood system, including China, Brazil, and the United States, account for 55 per cent of global agrifood emissions, with per capita emissions varying among countries.
The report stresses the urgent need for increased annual investments, estimated at $260 billion, to halve agrifood emissions by 2030 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. While it acknowledges that this investment is twice the amount currently spent on agricultural subsidies, it underscores the significant benefits that would result, including improvements in human health, food security, and economic prosperity, as well as increased carbon sequestration in forests and soils. Additionally, the report outlines tailored solutions for different income groups of countries to meet their climate goals effectively.
