Agriculture and climate change:
Real problems, false solutions
Preliminary report by
Econexus, Biofuelwatch, Grupo de Reflexion Rural
and NOAH - Friends of the Earth Denmark
by Helena Paul, Almuth Ernsting, Stella Semino, Susanne Gura & Antje Lorch
September 2009
This is an updated draft version of a report whose final version will be published before
the Climate Change Conference COP15 in Copenhagen, December 2009
Contact in Bangkok: Susanne Gura mobile: +49 177 669 1400 email: gura@dinse.net
Contact in the UK: Helena Paul phone: +44 207 431 4357 email: h.paul@econexus.info
Almuth Ernsting phone: +44 122 432 4797 email: almuth@ernsting.wanadoo.co.uk
Online at http://www.econexus.info
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Where we have got to in negotiations?
3. Carbon Trading Proposals for Agriculture
4. Does no-till agriculture reduce carbon emissions?
5. Biochar: What can we expect from adding charcoal to the soil?
6. Industrial livestock production: Intensification is not an option
7. What are the climate implications of grabbing 'marginal land'?
8. Can genetic engineering and the new “bioeconomy” provide solutions to climate change?
9. Towards an Alternative Vision
Real problems, false solutions
Preliminary report by
Econexus, Biofuelwatch, Grupo de Reflexion Rural
and NOAH - Friends of the Earth Denmark
by Helena Paul, Almuth Ernsting, Stella Semino, Susanne Gura & Antje Lorch
September 2009
This is an updated draft version of a report whose final version will be published before
the Climate Change Conference COP15 in Copenhagen, December 2009
Contact in Bangkok: Susanne Gura mobile: +49 177 669 1400 email: gura@dinse.net
Contact in the UK: Helena Paul phone: +44 207 431 4357 email: h.paul@econexus.info
Almuth Ernsting phone: +44 122 432 4797 email: almuth@ernsting.wanadoo.co.uk
Online at http://www.econexus.info
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Where we have got to in negotiations?
3. Carbon Trading Proposals for Agriculture
4. Does no-till agriculture reduce carbon emissions?
5. Biochar: What can we expect from adding charcoal to the soil?
6. Industrial livestock production: Intensification is not an option
7. What are the climate implications of grabbing 'marginal land'?
8. Can genetic engineering and the new “bioeconomy” provide solutions to climate change?
9. Towards an Alternative Vision