Climate change threatens agricultural trade in Pacific Rim economies

With global warming expected to significantly impact future yields in countries located closer to the equator, the United Nations agriculture agency has called on Asia-Pacific economies to take a leading role in adaptation and mitigation.

"Many Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, economies have already felt the full force of agricultural losses from natural disasters in recent years, with the vast majority of these being climate related," said Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.

Geographically, the negative impact of climate change on agricultural output could result in lower yields of rice, wheat, corn and soybeans in countries with tropical climates, compared with the impacts experienced by those in higher latitudes. Fisheries could also be affected by changes to water temperature, warned the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, on Friday.

"The annual tally runs into the billions and billions of dollars in losses. So, the time to act is now. Policy makers need to prepare for changes in supply, shifting trade patterns and a need for greater investment in agriculture, fisheries, land and water management, that will benefit smallholder farmers and others that produce our food," Mr. Kadiresan added.

Many vital agricultural regions in Asia are at risk of crossing key climate thresholds that would cause plant and animal productivity to decline, according to a meeting in Viet Nam of Agriculture Ministers of APEC member economies.

Based on the findings of the global research community, the International Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, anticipates that these trends are expected to worsen in the future with the projected impacts of anthropogenic climate change.

The agriculture sectors account for at least one-fifth of total emissions, mainly from forest to farmland conversions; livestock and paddy production; and application of synthetic fertilisers. Estimates show that 70 percent of the technical potential to reduce agriculture emissions occurs in tropical developing countries, which characterise much of Asia.

"It is imperative that we start thinking now about the hard decisions and actions that the APEC economies, and others, will need to take. Governments will need to consider greater social protection measures. Industry and trade will need to adapt to shifting supply and demand. There is no quick fix but there is every reason to act," Mr. Kadiresan stressed.

A second area requiring financing is also needed to support capacity-building of appropriate institutions and policies. Climate funds could become an important catalyst for climate change adaptation and mitigation if they are used to build the enabling environment essential for climate-smart agricultural development, while ensuring that public agricultural investment is also climate-smart, and to leverage private finance.