Climate-smart agriculture benefits marine ecosystems and coastal communities: Report

a study of IFAD’s experience in improving the lives of coastal communities, shows that climatesmart agriculture can also have knock-on benefits for marine ecosystems. Sustainable development in the agriculture sector, including aquaculture, can reduce human pressures on marine ecosystems, which are vulnerable to overfishing, ocean acidification and coral bleaching.

“Agriculture in all its forms is central to inclusive and sustainable development and can contribute to national climate commitments,” said IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo. “However, without appropriate measures, it can also damage marine ecosystems and fall short of its potential in terms of the climate,” he said.

“IFAD is uniquely placed to empower coastal communities, including Small Island Developing States, in a way that contributes to eradicating hunger and poverty while protecting life below water.” The research shows that as well as measures that directly tackle problems facing marine ecosystems, such as clearing up litter and mangrove restoration, more environmentally friendly agriculture on land can also reduce chemical run-off and pollution that otherwise seeps into coastal waters and therefore damages coral reefs and ultimately the fisheries and tourism potential of coastal communities.

“IFAD is determined to maximize the marine co-benefits of promoting diversified, climate-smart on-land agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries development,” said Margarita Astralaga, Director of IFAD’s Environment and Climate Division.