Filed under: Advice,Misc,News

Public-Private Partnerships
As mentioned above, capacity building will be a key requirement for addressing climate change. In particular in developing countries, where agriculture is a predominant sector, generic capacity building has to go hand in hand with more targeted capacity building for science and technology. Public-private partnerships can play a key role in this area. The public-private partnership model has been applied to help local governments and private businesses combine efforts and expertise to fight climate change and promote environmental sustainability. While each public-private partnership is unique, they need to be based on several principles: shared goals, shared and complementary resources, and shared risks and benefits.
Dialogue and partnership are important to increase the understanding of complex issues, such as technological change and raise awareness of the need for a broad base of action that needs to involve all partners. Public-private partnerships can also boost much-needed investment for improving sustainable agriculture. We encourage policy makers to facilitate business participation and recognize voluntary partnerships as an effective means to address climate change challenges.

A Role for Parliament
Agriculture directly impacts the climate and is impacted by climate change. It should therefore be given due attention, both with regard to mitigation and adaptation, which should be closely linked. Further research is needed to more fully incorporate climate change considerations in agriculture. Such areas for further research include: promotion of cost-effective adaptation frameworks, assessment of mitigation options, promotion of innovation to address climate change, and changes in farming practice. Given the potential cost burden of mitigation and adaptation policies, it is essential to keep an economic focus in mind when seeking for environmental improvements.

This is an excerpt from the Agricultural Business Chamber presentation to the portfolio committee in Parliament on the agribusinesses’ position on climate change. The presentation is available for download on the ABC website