Innovations in Agriculture: The Important Role of Agroforestry in Achieving SDG 13

Abstract

It is noteworthy that agriculture is a key element for achieving several SDG, such as fight against poverty, zero hunger, biodiversity protection and sustainable agriculture, production and consumption. Agriculture is also able to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Agroforestry stands out in face of other agricultural practices. It can contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhanced carbon sequestration, vulnerability reduction, production diversification and smallholder’s capacity building to adapt to climate change. This paper makes an analysis of the main international instruments that promote the adoption of agroforestry practices to tackle climate change. Nevertheless, its adoption may be constrained by some adverse national policies. Thus, this paper also aims to present some legal and policy elements underpinning successful agroforestry regimes.