Agriculture
Sustainability
Climate-Smart Agriculture

Agriculture

Climate-Smart Agriculture at a Glance

Climate change is reshaping our agricultural food system at an accelerated pace. In this dynamic landscape, where productivity and emission reduction are two sides of the same coin, farmers are encouraged to adopt different methods and embrace new technologies that maintain yields, ensure food security, and minimize environmental impact.

As a trusted partner with over 100 years of agronomic expertise, we are committed to understanding farmers' challenges and supporting them with technology and services on this journey towards decarbonization and climate change resilience.

What is our approach?

We use greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi) as the metric to assess the amount of GHG emissions generated per ton of crop produced. By linking emissions and crop production, GHGi allows emissions and productivity to be considered together. The insights from our trials provide evidence of our work with farmers and value-chain partners.

What does climate‑smart agriculture mean?

Climate‑Smart Agriculture (CSA) is not a single technology or practice but a framework for transforming agricultural systems to address food security and climate challenges. simultaneously. It is grounded in three core objectives:  

  • Increase agricultural productivity and incomes.  
  • Strengthen resilience of livelihoods and ecosystems to climate variability and shocks.  
  • Reduce or remove greenhouse‑gas emissions, where possible.  

More on FAO’s contribution to climate-smart agriculture

Our Global Carbon Field Trial reports

Read the reports from our Global Carbon Field Trials Program to learn more about our progress:
Global Carbon Field Trial Report 2024 (Edition 1: First Results): Advancing Reliable Climate-Smart Solutions for Farmers & Food Systems

Carbon Field Trial Report 2024 - Edition 1: First Results

See our progress in our journey towards climate-smart agriculture for a more sustainable future.​
PreviewPDF (8.04 MB)
Global Carbon Field Trial Report 2025 (Edition 2: Rice): Advancing Reliable Climate-Smart Solutions for Farmers & Food Systems

Carbon Field Trial Report 2025 - Edition 2: Rice

See our progress in shaping the future of sustainable rice production.
 
PreviewPDF (8.84 MB)

How we drive solutions in the field

Global Carbon Farming Program
Through our Global Carbon Farming Program, we support farmers in adopting practices to enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil health, and therefore reduce CO₂e and overall greenhouse gas emissions.​
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barley field in sunset time
Global Carbon Field Trial Program
Through our Global Carbon Field Trial Program, we evaluate different combination of technologies and interventions for what works to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity for the type of crop, regional farming practices and local climate and environment, in real field conditions.
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Leadership perspectives on our sustainability approach

Photo of Marko Grozdanovic
Interview
“Sustainable agriculture is complex and compelling. There is no one-size-fits-all solution that works everywhere.”
Marko Grozdanovic, SVP of Global Strategic Marketing & Sustainability, talks to Chemical Week about BASF’s R&D activities, collaborations, and commercialization ambitions.
  1. Read the full article for an in-depth look at our approach.
Florian Feigs
Interview

“Climate change is already occurring; it is no longer just about mitigation – it is now about building resilience into our food production systems.”

Florian Feigs, Head of Global Sustainability, BASF Agricultural Solutions, talks to S&P Global about why resilience, long‑term planning, and farmer‑centric innovation are now essential for the future of agriculture. - Read the full interview here.
 
PreviewPDF (637.43 KB)