The Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) Consortium, coordinated by the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), alongside key stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector, highlights the critical role of agriculture in Ghana’s climate commitments.
The consortium, supported by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, emphasises urgent and targeted actions to mitigate Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), specifically methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and black carbon, to strengthen Ghana’s response under the Paris Agreement and significantly advance national sustainable development objectives.
Agriculture, accounting for approximately 25% of Ghana’s greenhouse gas emissions, notably contributes substantial amounts of methane from rice and livestock systems, nitrous oxide from the use of fertilizers and manure, and black carbon emissions through biomass burning practices. Addressing these SLCPs presents an exceptional opportunity to rapidly mitigate climate change, improve air quality, and enhance human health and agricultural productivity.
In line with Ghana’s ambitious climate targets, the ACE4ES Consortium proposes:
• Methane Emission Reductions of 25-30% through improved livestock management, manure handling, and sustainable rice cultivation techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
• At least 25% Nitrous Oxide Emission Reductions via optimized nitrogen management, enhanced manure management practices, and adoption of integrated soil fertility management strategies, including biochar and composting.
• Minimum 40% Black Carbon Emission Reductions by promoting sustainable agricultural residue management practices, eliminating open biomass burning, and fostering agroforestry and sustainable household energy alternatives.
The Consortium underscores the critical need for robust stakeholder collaboration, capacity building, improved emissions data management, and adequate financing mechanisms to successfully achieve these targets.
The ACE4ES Consortium reaffirms its commitment to providing technical support, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and advocating for evidence-based policy actions to support Ghana’s agriculture sector contributions to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The group called upon policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, research institutions, farmers, and international development partners to join in advancing a resilient, climate-smart agricultural future for Ghana and beyond.
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