The key project goal was to assist policymakers in developing countries to optimally harness climate finance for food-security related elements in national climate change strategies.

It addressed key concerns, namely the vulnerability of agriculture as key the sector relevant for food security as well as emissions from agricultural activities. The research provided policymakers, in particular in the three case study countries Bangladesh, Honduras and Kenya, with the tools to act as national climate strategy “gatekeepers” in order to integrate climate funding streams for the agriculture sector in a way that mitigation and adaptation benefits of a given funding volume are maximized without jeopardizing food security.

The key output was the development of integrated funding concepts for adaptation and mitigation in the agriculture sector, based on the national climate change strategies of Bangladesh, Honduras and Kenya, using the following research methods:

• Literature reviews especially on issues where there is a lack of good review papers (such as on the knowledge and experience on the integration of adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector);
• Analysis of funding instruments, including an assessment of indicators for adaptation and mitigation effectiveness
• Case studies in the three low-income food deficit developing countries listed above, prepared by domestic partner organisations.

Consultation with national and international policymakers and other experts played a key role during the project, with results being disseminated through different national and international channels, including UNFCCC negotiations.

Recent update:

For many developing countries ensuring food security remains a key development challenge, often aggravated by climate change impacts. However, a number of governments that set-up national climate change strategies with the intention to improve conditions in the agricultural sector often find it difficult to address climate change mitigation, adaptation and food security elements in a synergy-oriented manner. The question arises what kind of institutional set-up would be required to better address this challenge?

Germanwatch and Perspectives have coordinated this project in order to find a solution. Through work with policymakers and stakeholders in Kenya (African Centre for Technological Studies), Bangladesh (Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies) and Honduras (Fundacíon Vida), the team has jointly developed a concept to advance climate resilience and low-carbon development in the agricultural sector, without jeopardising food security.

Project resources and outputs:

• Country case studies:
  • Kenya: Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Kenya
  • Bangladesh: Case Study on Climate Compatible Development (CCD) in Agriculture for Food Security in Bangladesh
  • Honduras: Honduras Case Study on the National Strategy on Climate Change and Agriculture/Food Security

• Synthesis paper presenting the findings of the three case studies: Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Compatible Development Synthesis Paper
• Assessment: How food security-related elements of national climate change strategies can harness international climate finance in an effective manner

Lead investigators: Dr. Axel Michaelowa, Sonja Butzengeiger-Geyer, Germany, Perspectives GmbH

Partners and partner organisations:

-          Michel Koehler (Germany, Perspectives GmbH)
-          Sven Harmeling and Tobias Reichert (Germany, Germanwatch)
-          Dr. Atiq Rahman (Bangladesh, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies)
-          Dr. Bernard Muok and Prof. Judi W. Wakhungu (Kenya, African Centre for Technology Studies)
-          Isaac Ferrera and Carlos Ardon (Honduras, Fundacion Vida)

CDKN Funding: £182,000

Photo credit: United Nations Climate Change.