The Double-Edged Sword: Climate Change’s Impact on Global Agriculture and Pathways to a Resilient Future

Abstract

The global agricultural sector stands at a critical nexus in the climate crisis, functioning as both a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a primary victim of their climatic consequences. This paper synthesises the current scientific consensus on the multifaceted relationship between climate change and agriculture. It first establishes the dual role of agriculture, detailing its contributions to anthropogenic emissions through livestock, fertiliser use, and land-use change. It then provides a comprehensive review of the severe impacts of climate change on agricultural systems, including reduced crop yields, increased
water stress, proliferation of pests and diseases, and threats to livestock and fisheries, all of which undermine global food security. Subsequently, the paper explores a suite of adaptation strategies designed to build resilience, from on-farm practices like crop diversification and precision agriculture to systemic changes in water and soil management. It also examines mitigation pathways to reduce the sector’s climate footprint, focusing on sustainable land management, emissions reduction from livestock and fertilisers, and demand-side measures such as reducing food waste. Finally, the paper analyses the crucial role of policy, governance, and investment in facilitating this transition, highlighting the importance of international frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the urgent need to bridge the significant financing gap with both public and private capital. The paper concludes that a rapid, systemic transformation of global agri-food systems, integrating both adaptation and mitigation, is not only essential for ensuring future food security but is also a non-negotiable component of the global solution to climate change