AFOLU stands for Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Uses. Globally, the sector offers the second largest potential for climate change mitigation, after the energy sector, and is included in over 80% of the NDCs from developing countries. In addition, activities in AFOLU can provide several co-benefits, including food production, biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change, thus contributing to various SDGs. However, persistent barriers hamper the implementation of AFOLU mitigation projects in developing countries. A number of activities in the GCF’s portfolio demonstrate how to overcome these barriers and realize the climate change mitigation potential of the AFOLU sector.

In this "Meet the iTAP", Mitigation Impact Potential in the AFOLU Sector, we presented key basic concepts of the AFOLU sector, and discussed related terms like Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR), and existing mechanisms like REDD+. We also provided clarifications on methodological aspects to be considered for preparing funding proposals for this sector and shared some existing experiences. The presentation was delivered by panel member Carmenza Robledo, member of iTAP since January 2023. Carmenza has worked on climate change and natural resource management at the interface between science-policy-practice and has experience in over twenty-five countries. She has been involved as lead author in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and evaluated the FCPF, the FAO-climate programme and two CGIAR programmes and advised multiple international organizations.

Speakers: Carmenza Robledo, Member of iTAP