Climate

Working on climate adaptation

The Climate Summits in Copenhagen (2009) and Mexico (2010) show that climate change is high on the agenda. Local effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent. Extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts can cause considerable problems for farmers. Scientists and policy-makers are working together to address the challenges of climate adaptation and climate mitigation. The Louis Bolk Institute, for example, has a successful research programme on agricultural emission reduction.

Carbon sequestration through sustainable soil management

Sustainable soil management is an effective strategy for agricultural emission reduction. It saves energy through reduced tillage, promotes carbon sequestration through the build up of soil organic matter, and increases soil fertility in the long term. Sustainably managed soils have a greater water storage capacity, which makes them less vulnerable to droughts and heavy rainfall. Sustainable soil management is therefore also an effective climate adaptation strategy.

Low input agriculture contributes to climate solution

Reducing agricultural inputs has multiple beneficial effects. As a climate mitigation strategy, input reduction leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additional benefits are improved animal welfare and increased opportunities for nature conservation. Thanks to our longstanding experience with low input agriculture, we are able to find effective solutions, even within the complex context of climate change; solutions that work in practice, because we develop them together with farmers.

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Leaflets: Climate change and sustainable agriculture