Agriculture significantly contributes to and is affected by climate change, accounting for a quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Governments worldwide provide approximately US$600 billion annually in agricultural support. This study rigorously quantifies the impact of this support on GHG emissions, revealing a small overall impact. This is partly due to support not systematically favoring high-emission products and partly because trade protection reduces demand for some high-emission products. Substantial GHG emission reduction in agriculture while ensuring food security necessitates a comprehensive restructuring of agricultural support and food consumption.

David Laborde, Abdullah Mamun, Will Martin, Valeria Piñeiro, Rob Vos