OECD Forum Explores Forests and Agriculture in Climate Action
Paris, Thursday, 3 July 2025.
Governments and experts convened in Paris to discuss critical roles of forests and agriculture in mitigating climate change, focusing on carbon sequestration and emissions reduction strategies.
Exploring Carbon Sequestration and Emissions Reduction
The OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum, held from July 2-3, 2025, in Paris, focused on the critical roles of forests and agricultural sectors in combating climate change. As agriculture contributes to around one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, discussions were centered on enhancing carbon sequestration through sustainable forest management and improving agricultural practices to mitigate emissions [1][2].
Strategizing Ahead of COP30
With the COP30 climate summit on the horizon, the forum highlighted the importance of forests and agriculture in achieving international climate objectives. Significant emphasis was placed on scaling up finance to leverage forests as carbon sinks, along with addressing measurement challenges of greenhouse gas emissions [1][3]. These discussions are part of preparatory measures for the forthcoming COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, where nature conservation will be a key focus [1][3].
Harnessing Financial Tools for Sustainability
The forum explored various financial tools such as REDD+ payments, carbon credits, and biodiversity offsets, aiming to ensure that ecosystem services are accurately valued and prioritized. The integration of these financial mechanisms is crucial for sustainable management practices and for enhancing resilience to climate impacts [1][3]. The discussions underscored a collaborative approach to environmental and economic resilience through a blend of public and private sector initiatives [2][3].
The Role of Agriculture in Biodiversity
The agriculture sector’s dual role, as both a significant contributor to emissions and a vulnerable sector to climate impacts, was a key point of discussion. Enhancing sustainable agricultural practices was seen as vital to reducing water consumption and stemming biodiversity loss, particularly where deforestation is linked to agricultural expansion [3]. The forum further examined place-based solutions to integrate forestry and rural development, aiming for an economic growth model that respects environmental constraints [3].