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Linking Agriculture and Climate: Resources from Agrilinks and Climatelinks

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11 Dec, 2023

This post was originally published on Climate Links

Linking Agriculture and Climate: Resources from Agrilinks and Climatelinks
jschoshinski
Thu, 12/07/2023 – 20:26

Today’s COP28 program focuses on food, agriculture, and water. Climate change increases water and food scarcity, displacement, and the need for humanitarian assistance globally. Although affected by the climate crisis, agriculture may also contribute to it by emitting greenhouse gasses through excessive use of fertilizers, methane-releasing rice paddies and livestock, over-tilling of soil, and the conversion of forests and other ecosystems to agricultural uses. Climate-smart agriculture can decrease greenhouse gas emissions from the sector and build communities’ resilience to climate change. 

Addressing the climate crisis requires a holistic approach to development. USAID’s 2022-2030 Climate Strategy recognizes every USAID Mission and the sectors in which they work has a role to play in transforming global systems to address the climate crisis. The Strategy’s two main Strategic Objectives of Targeted Direct Action and Systems Change highlight how a systems approach–such as transforming food systems to be more resilient, less wasteful, and less environmentally destructive, or transitioning value chains to be less carbon-intensive–can mitigate climate change and build resilience in ways that are comprehensive, equitable, and locally led.

With this intersection between agriculture and climate change in mind, Agrilinks and Climatelinks are highlighting some resources that explore the issue in depth. Agrilinks is a hub where agriculture, food security, and development professionals can connect, share, and learn. It is part of USAID’s Feed the Future initiative and has become the go-to source for informative discussions that further resilience, food security, and poverty reduction.

Here are some climate-related resources on Agrilinks to help food security and agricultural development practitioners understand how their work intersects with climate change programming.

Cocoa Farmers in Ghana Show Strong Interest in Solar-Based Irrigation, but Pump Costs Are Often Too High

In Ghana, climate change negatively affects the production of cocoa, which is essential to the country’s economy and contributes around 30 percent of its export earnings. Cocoa farmers are willing to invest in solar-powered irrigation pumps as a climate-smart adaptation measure, but high costs and limited credit options restrict their ability to invest. Understanding these challenges can help policymakers and private sector businesses who promote climate-smart technologies design market-oriented strategies for the promotion of solar-powered irrigation pumps to Ghanaian cocoa farmers.

Site-Specific Nutrient Management for Balanced Nutrient Application and Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Rice Fields

Rice is known to be both a contributor to and a victim of climate change. As the global population increases, the demand for rice production will follow suit. Scientists are working toward the integration of climate-smart technologies into rice production to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from rice fields and save it from the impacts of climate change. 

Norman Borlaug, the Groundnut Improvement Network for Africa and Climate Change

Decades before climate change became a threat to food security, Norman Borlaug, the Father of the Green Revolution, put shuttle breeding to work. Shuttle breeding allowed breeders around the world to evaluate new breeding lines of rice and wheat in multiple environments each year–helping address food security by allowing multiple harvests to occur in a single growing season. The Groundnut Improvement Network for Africa is now replicating that success for groundnuts on the African continent and beyond.


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These resources can help agricultural development practitioners understand how their work intersects with climate change programming.

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

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