A new study by ODI suggests that whilst international mitigation efforts against climate change may challenge the traditional growth agenda for developing countries, such policies could provide new opportunities for the agricultural sector.  Stressing the importance of adapting and creating climate resilient growth strategies, particularly in poor countries that rely heavily on agriculture and are likely to be most affected by climate change, the report offers recommendations for agricultural industry in the developing world, such as:

• increasing understanding and awareness of the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity.
• improving agronomic practices: researching climate-resistant crop varieties and better water, soil and fertiliser management.
• exploring how payment options could incentivise participation and provide meaningful financial opportunities.
• investigating the potential carbon sequestration benefits offered by agriculture.

The study reveals the research findings of The Climate Group, which reports that a global climate agreement could lead to an increase in global GDP by 0.8% by 2020 relative to projected GDP with no climate action. 

Rather than being hindered by mitigation efforts, ODI’s report suggests the various ways that developing countries could find new opportunities for sustainable growth. For example a country-specific distribution of mitigation policies could offer lower-income countries higher rates of growth, adjusting the balance of wealth across countries, and the same could be done for different sectors of industry worldwide.