Landscape of mitigation action and finance in the Georgian agricultural sector

Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices in the Context of Georgia’s Climate Mitigation Efforts

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This report provides an overview of the landscape of mitigation actions in the agricultural sector in Georgia and potential entry points for international climate finance. It presents a comprehensive mapping of the mitigation options available in the sub-sector, as well as an analysis of the mitigation potential of the measures, the costs of reduction, the main barriers to adoption, the financing options and the applicability to the Georgian context. The results can be used by policy makers and institutions to advance planning, financing and implementation of Georgia’s agricultural sector targets and goals, as presented in the NDC, the 2030 climate strategy and the plan. Georgia Action Plan 2021-2023.

Our study reveals that there are many interesting actions to mitigate emissions in the agricultural sector. Many of these measures require technologies or practices already available in Georgia, have neutral to low abatement costs, and have considerable mitigation potential, but are hindered by current land regulations. These are mainly cropland measures such as low tillage, promotion of agroforestry, management of synthetic fertilizers, plant management and organic production, as well as some livestock measures such as power optimization. Low-cost measures that are not as advanced in preparation in Georgia and are not hampered by land regulations include other livestock measures such as manure management, feed optimization, optimization of animal husbandry, health and disease prevention and direct methane capture, although they face different challenges, namely small-scale animal husbandry prevails.

Our study also performs an initial assessment of potential sources of funding for the implementation of these measures, based on perceived technological/practical readiness and estimated abatement costs. A general indication of appropriate financial mechanisms is also provided.

Building on Georgia’s National Climate Strategy 2030 and Action Plan 2021-2023 (CASP), the report details some of the additional benefits of decarbonizing the agricultural sector, primarily through synergies with the Association Agreement with the EU, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other national planning documents such as the Third National Action Program for the Environment (PNAE-3), the Rural and Agricultural Development Strategy and the Plan of national action for the environment and health (PNAE-2).

Finally, the report presents some recommendations to coordinate enhanced action in the sector, namely increasing awareness of the implications of the Paris Agreement for the agricultural sector, prioritizing information exchange and farmer training , effectively address the main obstacles to the implementation of the measures analyzed and develop concrete studies of political feasibility and proposals for measures at hand.

Contact for more information: Thomas Day, Pablo Lopez Legarreta