The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) of the International Trade Centre published a detailed study about the contribution of organic agriculture to climate change mitigation and adaptation such as reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and contribution to CO2 soil sequestration. Agricultural land use contributes to 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions and it is rising due to the increasing demand of food. It also generates soil degradation, opening carbon sinks and releasing greenhouse gases. Agriculture must also adapt to changes in climate in order to provide food security. The study discusses how organic farming systems utilize traditional skills and knowledge, manage with weather extremes and enhance productivity and resilience of degraded soils by building soil fertility. The paper recognizes that organic farming also has weaknesses related to productivity and yield losses in some crops and production areas that highlight the need for further research. They conclude that organic agriculture has much to offer in both mitigation and adaptation of climate change contributing to CO2 sequestration (acknowledged by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), closing nutrient cycles and providing high degree of biodiversity and a resilient and productive system for adaptation strategies.

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