Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: OL004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.OL004
Published online: 22 April 2026
Mitigating climate change in food systems: evidence and policy pathways across the LULUCF sector
Augusto Carlos Castro-Nunez
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR, Km 17 Recta Cali–Palmira, Palmira, Colombia
Corresponding author: augusto.castro@cgiar.or
Food systems play a central role in global development by providing food, livelihoods and economic opportunities for millions of people. At the same time, they are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Evidence increasingly shows that emissions associated with food systems extend beyond agricultural production to include land-use change, supply chains and consumption patterns. Addressing climate change therefore requires approaches that connect agriculture, forests and land-use governance within a broader food-systems perspective.
This keynote discusses current evidence on greenhouse gas emissions from food systems and explores how mitigation pathways can be implemented across the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (LULUCF) sector. Particular attention is given to the links between agricultural expansion, tropical deforestation and food and nutrition security. The presentation highlights mitigation opportunities that emerge from improved land management, and strategies that reduce pressure on forests while maintaining rural livelihoods.
The keynote concludes by emphasizing that achieving climate mitigation goals will require stronger integration between food systems, land-use governance and climate policy. Universities, research organizations and policymakers have an important role in advancing knowledge and supporting the transition toward low-emission food systems that contribute to climate stability while safeguarding food and nutrition security and sustainable development.
The research informing this presentation was supported by CGIAR, the CGIAR Climate Action Science Program.
Keywords: climate change; GHG emissions; food systems; land-use change; LULUCF
How to cite
Castro-Nunez A.C., 2026. Mitigating climate change in food systems: evidence and policy pathways across the LULUCF sector. In: 5th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.OL004