Search Climate Insights Directory

This working paper examines the environmental and health impacts of nitrogen losses in United States row-crop agriculture and proposes a technical toolkit and policy framework to reduce these losses while maintaining crop yields.

This report provides a framework for policy makers, practitioners, and funding agencies to identify and scale adaptation good practices in the rainfed agricultural regions of India, moving beyond small-scale pilot projects to achieve broader impact and policy reform.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines the economic and structural challenges of transitioning to green hydrogen-based fertilizer production in Kenya, highlighting the current cost gap compared to conventional alternatives.

This briefing note explores the impact of climate change on U.S. agriculture and the role of the agricultural sector in climate policy, arguing that producers must actively participate in policy dialogues to ensure future legislation serves their best interests.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute examines the increase in heavy precipitation in the United States since the late 1950s, attributing the trend to human-caused climate change and detailing the resulting impacts on infrastructure, health, and agriculture.

This report by the World Resources Institute outlines technological and practice-based strategies to mitigate methane emissions from three primary agricultural sources: enteric fermentation, manure management, and rice cultivation, in alignment with the Global Methane Pledge and the Paris Agreement.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute provides guidance for countries to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by incorporating strengthened, tailor-made actions within the agriculture sector to address climate change adaptation and mitigation.

This working paper, part of the World Resources Institute's CarbonShot series, examines the potential for carbon removal through forests and farms in the United States. It identifies the technical and financial barriers to large-scale deployment and discusses land-use trade-offs associated with different carbon-beneficial practices.

A research paper by the World Resources Institute that examines the environmental impacts of the rapid expansion of the U.S. corn ethanol industry following the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and proposes specific farm policy recommendations to mitigate these effects.

This policy brief by the World Resources Institute examines the economic and environmental impacts of increasing corn production to meet the ethanol demands mandated by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The World Resources Institute and collaborators developed a geospatial dataset providing benchmark land use change (LUC) and land occupation (LO) emission factors for 42 major crops for the period 2020–24. The dataset aims to harmonize corporate GHG reporting by providing standardized, jurisdiction-level metrics. 2024 national averages reveal high variability in emissions per tonne of crop, such as soy in Brazil (1.67 tCO₂e) versus the US (0.40 tCO₂e), and highlight that subnational data is necessary to identify emission hotspots.

A World Resources Institute report analyzing the increasing competition for land driven by global demand for food, wood, and shelter, and its impact on carbon storage and biodiversity.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute outlines recommended legislative and implementation actions for the 2007 Farm Bill to better integrate greenhouse gas mitigation within the U.S. agricultural sector.

This policy brief by the World Resources Institute (WRI) examines climate adaptation strategies for coffee farming communities in Costa Rica, specifically focusing on the Coto Brus region. It identifies key enabling factors for resilience, provides six strategic recommendations for the sector, and highlights comparative adaptation practices in Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines opportunities for bilateral cooperation between the United States and China to reduce methane emissions, specifically focusing on the agriculture and waste/wastewater sectors. It identifies specific technical areas for R&D, the potential for remote sensing collaboration, and the role of economic and regulatory incentives in driving mitigation.

This research paper examines climate change vulnerability and adaptation in Sudan, highlighting the critical dependence of food security on erratic rainfall. It predicts significant declines in millet and sorghum yields in the Kordofan Region by 2060 and warns of increased malaria risks and water crises. The authors argue that while the Environmental Protection Act of 2001 and the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) provide frameworks, effective adaptation requires moving away from top-down, sectorial planning toward integrated national planning, land tenure reform, and the establishment of a national early warning system.

This briefing by Johan Rockström argues for a 'new green revolution' in agriculture to simultaneously address immediate poverty and long-term climate risks. The author proposes shifting focus from large-scale irrigation to small-scale rainfed agriculture and water harvesting, particularly in tropical regions, to increase food production and turn agriculture into a carbon sink.

This case study examines the integration of climate change adaptation into China's Comprehensive Agricultural Development (CAD) program, specifically through the World Bank-financed Irrigated Agriculture Intensification Loan III Project (IAIL3) and a subsequent Global Environmental Facility (GEF) grant. Focused on the 3H Plain, the initiative aimed to address water scarcity and agricultural vulnerability by implementing drought-resistant crop varieties, water-harvesting infrastructure, and capacity-building for farmers, including rural women.

A training manual by WWF South Africa for rural livestock farmers to understand climate change and implement adaptation strategies across water, feed, animal health, and herd management.

This fact sheet by WWF South Africa details a 2020/21 study on faecal pollution in the Crocodile and Sabie River catchments in Mpumalanga. It highlights the risks of E. coli contamination for irrigated crops, particularly for subsistence farmers and high-risk vegetables, and provides recommendations for water stewardship and safe farming techniques.