Plant breeding is a critical tool in the fight against climate change
Why plant breeding is a critical tool in the fight against Climate Change
Climate change exerts an unparalleled impact on agriculture.
Yet the sector also contributes 20% to the annual increase to human-driven greenhouse gas emissions.
This cycle, in which agriculture is both victim and contributor, can and must be disrupted.
Fighting climate change requires a comprehensive strategy that spans energy, transport, and, crucially, food and agriculture. Immediate actions, like halting deforestation and adopting sustainable practices in irrigation, biodiversity management, and land use, are imperative.
Achieving these goals requires producing more food on existing farmland. Plant breeding, central to the CGIAR Breeding for Tomorrow Science Program, makes this possible by developing varieties that are climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and adapted to future production systems.
Together with agronomy and policy frameworks, plant breeding is a critical tool in the fight against climate change.