Climate Change and Sustainable Food Security in India Dr. Gopi Ghosh (UC Davis ) Director & Chief of Policy, Asian Institute of Poverty Alleviation International Consultant - Price Waterhouse Cooper Presentation on the National Conference on Emerging India: Climate Change Governance Organized by Association of Indian Humphrey Fellows India International Center, New Delhi, February

Natural process of change in earth’s climate - astronomical, geographical and decadal scales- caused by both natural and human activities Fossil fuel burning 28.5% Deforestation 18% transport 14% industry 14% agriculture 14% A series of physical, biological, ecological and economic changes

Climate change Impact on Food Security Agri, forestry, fisheries - sensitive to climate Extreme weather variability & uncertainity Collapse of ecosystems / livelihoods Degradation of natural resources (L W F Bio) Increased human health risks Developing countries ( S&MF, W&C) worst hit

Reduced agricultural productivity and food insecurity Heightened water insecurity Change in food system assets & activities Changes in component of food security Increased vulnerability of the vulnerable Emerging pests and diseases Increased costs to farmers & consumers

Combating climate change risk Adaptation – response to actual or expected effects, that reduces risk to life and livelihood/lessen impact alter & diversify farming practices (crop Ls Aqua), adapt/ integrat NRM, enhance efficiency, conserve resources, maintain bio-diversity, shift consumption, improve farmer resilience, better NR governance Mitigation – reducing emissions of GHGs and sequestering carbon- reduce deforestation, control forest fire, use bio-mass, reduce emissions from farming, industry, transport, expand and enhance C sink, CDM

Flag 1 Climate Change – an uncomfortable truth????  feeding /clothing 1.2+ billion- > ¼ food insecure and poor  Feed 16% global animals  Huge unemployment  target growth rate of 9%  rising energy demand  Uprising consumer- improved lifestyles  need for industry, infrastructure, transport  remove rich-poor divide, rural-urban inequality, regional disparity, migration  Climate Change-priority for Development?  To what extent will it alter the path and rate of national economic growth?  How far can we adopt mitigation practices in industry and energy?  What are our risk assessment instruments & risk reduction strategies?  Energy security policy, renewable and non-renewable- and technology options  Comprehensive action plan for a climate resilient / Green governance?

Flag 2 Agriculture- both a source and sink of GHGs  How far can Agri balance btw sink/ source of C?  Enhance NRM efficiency?  Adoption of low GHG emissions in “agriculture+” practicable?  Adaptation policies & practices – immdt MT & LT  How to frame a Sust. CC Governance model with opportunities & innovation?

Flag 3 Issues around national food security  Increasing population – growing food insecurity  Rising pressure on land  Competing land use  Shrinking natural resources  Low productivity (low level of energy /input)  huge farm biomass wastages  Diminishing livelihood options  Increased rural/ agrarian distress - migration  What role technology institution infrastructure play in SFS  What about Livelihood diversification for the poor?  Sustainable Crop Production Agro-ecology- way forward?  What are the possible EWS, Vulnerability mapping etc to counter CC risks/impact  How to put ecosystem mgmt in all areas of CC governance

Farming must change to feed the world " Planting through organic soil cover Effects of CC in specific agro-eco-systems on crop, livestock, forestry, fisheries etc Pragmatic policy facilitating / promoting adaptation to the changing uncertainties R&D system devoted to CC situations & opportunities in addressing challenges Blend traditional knowledge & cutting edge practices to adaptation efforts Policy support to farmers for production system diversification, adaptation efforts

Some Possible CC Action Science based info thru nat/reg/ global data, using proper analytical tools, forecasting & impact monitoring, Mainstream CC response/adaption Integrated Risk Assessment /Planning Agri central to CC governance of NAP Awareness at farmers, policy planners and Consumers Adaptive capacity of farmers Improve resilience of all prod systems Financing agri adaptation & CC risks Comprehensive Land water forest and biodiversity action plan

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy security, health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all. Ban Ki-moon