Agriculture
Africa food crisis: Bill Gates and smallholders see different solutions
Fertiliser prices have risen by 300% since Russia invaded Ukraine, beyond the reach of smallholders, yet philanthropists see them as key to increasing yields
Sri Lanka food crisis has its roots in the globalisation of the 1970s
The Rajapaksa regime deserved to be banished, but today’s hunger stems from decades of choosing global markets over self-sufficiency
War in Ukraine is triggering a food crisis – and climate change has more in store
Governments must fund humanitarian relief and prioritise cropland for feeding people, not livestock or cars, to guard against future shocks
Australian carbon traders defend troubled offset market against whistleblower claims
Policy upheaval and stark criticism of the quality of carbon offsets from a former official have thrown Australia’s ability to deliver on carbon targets into doubt
War in Ukraine is compounding a hunger crisis in East Africa, charities warn
Up to 28 million people are facing severe food insecurity as soaring wheat prices follow failed rains, Covid and desert locusts
Hackers throw Indonesian palm oil seminar into chaos, fuelling blame game
As experts debated a controversial proposal to classify palm oil plantations as forest, their event in Jakarta was disrupted by swearing and pornography
EU’s reformed agricultural policy fails its climate goals, say green groups
Lawmakers have approved a reform to the Common Agricultural Policy, which critics say fails to deliver on the bloc’s Green Deal and climate goals
Why I am calling on EU lawmakers to put climate at the heart of agricultural policy
The proposed reform to the EU’s farming subsidy programme continues a business-as-usual approach to farming that we cannot afford in a climate emergency
Modi’s ‘gamechanger’ palm oil push raises concerns for Indian forests and women
Prime minister Narendra Modi has big plans for palm oil cultivation. But the experience of farmers in Mizoram does not bode well
Ethiopia to shift from beef to chicken production under updated climate plan
The government is promoting smaller livestock to limit the rise of methane emissions, in a plan that is 80% dependent on international finance
Flooding and drought fuels mental health crisis in Kenya
Many Kenyans are suffering post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety after being hit by extreme weather, but lack access to mental health services
Southern Madagascar at risk of famine amid worst drought in 40 years
UN agencies are urgently calling for international support as a million Madagascans go hungry, with some surviving on insects and wild roots
Ireland’s government agrees on climate bill to set 2050 net zero goal in law
The bill would commit Ireland to cut emissions 51% between 2018 and 2030, raising tough questions about the future of cattle farming
EU ministers demand response to Trump Admin critique of green farming reforms
The EU Commission has been ordered to assess the impact of its green “farm to fork” strategy after the Trump Administration claimed it would harm global food security
South Sudan plans to raise climate ambition amid ‘dire’ humanitarian crisis
The world’s newest country is seeking to expand renewable energy, tree planting and climate smart agriculture, but UK aid cuts threaten progress
Indian farmers head for showdown with government over agricultural reform
Already bearing heavy costs from climate change, Indian farmers fear the government’s market reforms will drive them deeper into debt
New Zealand urged to accelerate emissions cuts in line with 2050 net zero goal
Independent advisors said New Zealand should cut emissions “much more than 35%” from 2005 levels by 2030 to align ambition with a 1.5C global warming limit
Colombia banks on forest economy to deliver climate ambition leap
Since the end of a 50-year civil war, Colombia has seen a spike in forest clearance, that the government now hopes to reverse with agroforestry initiatives
In Kenya’s changing climate, women are claiming land rights to feed their families
Owning their own land allows Kenyan women to build resilience to drought and flooding, but many are unaware of laws intended to empower them
Brazil’s military operations are not halting deforestation in the Amazon
Jair Bolsonaro has transferred the command of anti-deforestation operations in the Amazon to the military. But the army presence is making little difference