THEMATIC SESSION 4:

SYNERGIES WITH PLANETARY BOUNDARIES

Explore concrete synergies between Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Planetary Boundaries – advancing policies and practices that align agriculture with ecological limits while boosting climate resilience

Cross-cutting Track

AGRICULTURE WITHIN PLANETARY BOUNDARIES: INTEGRATING CSA WITH RESILIENT AND NATURE-POSITIVE SOLUTIONS

Session Overview:

Agriculture is a major driver of planetary boundary transgressions, including excessive freshwater use, biodiversity loss, biogeochemical disruption, land system change and approximately 25% of global CO₂ emissions. At the same time, one-third of all food is lost or wasted along supply chains, intensifying these environmental pressures.

This session will explore how Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) can restore the planet’s safe operating space by increasing productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and reducing emissions, while promoting sustainable land use and protecting critical ecosystems. Participants will examine systemic solutions to realign agricultural policies, land management practices, and financial incentives with sustainable food system transitions.

Key Messages:

  • Agriculture is a major driver of planetary boundary transgressions, including freshwater overuse, disruption of biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions, but it also holds a critical role in restoring the planet’s safe operating space.
  • Sustainable land management and diversified, regenerative agricultural systems are essential for maintaining food security and climate resilience within planetary boundaries.
  • Current public policies and subsidies are largely misaligned with sustainability, representing a barrier to CSA adoption, which is essential to mitigate environmental impacts and re-establish planetary boundaries.
  • Reducing food loss and waste is essential to avoid exacerbating environmental impacts and to support sustainable food systems.
  • There is strong potential to advance regional and global cooperation by aligning policies and financial incentives with the transition toward climate-smart and regenerative agricultural systems.

CSA and Planetary Boundaries

This thematic session will explore the synergies between Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Planetary Boundaries, focusing on translating scientific insights into actionable policy and practice. Participants will examine how current policy mechanisms support or hinder sustainable agriculture and identify opportunities to strengthen the science–policy interface. The session will highlight practical approaches, from local CSA solutions to scalable policy instruments and incentive mechanisms, that align agricultural practices with ecological limits while enhancing climate resilience.

TimeAgenda
14:30-14:40

Welcome and introduction

Andrei Cechin & Virginia Antonioli
University of Brasília & World Resources Institute (WRI) Brasil

14:40-14:50

Quiz on CSA and synergies with Planetary Boundaries

14:50-15:20

Abstract presentations

10 min presentation + 5 min Q&A per author

2 selected abstract authors

15:20-15:55

Guided group discussions

Workshop / discussion that supports the development of a technical note outcome

15:55-16:00

Closing

Summary of key convergences, divergences, and gaps identified during the discussion

Next steps for policy and practice

Andrei Cechin & Virginia Antonioli
University of Brasília & WRI Brasil

CSA and Planetary Boundaries

This thematic session will build on the first session to explore the synergies between Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Planetary Boundaries, focusing on translating scientific insights into actionable policy and practice. Participants will examine how current policy mechanisms support or hinder sustainable agriculture and identify opportunities to strengthen the science–policy interface. The session will highlight practical approaches, from local CSA solutions to scalable policy instruments and incentive mechanisms, that align agricultural practices with ecological limits while enhancing climate resilience.

TimeAgenda
11:30-11:40

Welcome and introduction

Andrei Cechin & Virginia Antonioli
University of Brasília & World Resources Institute (WRI) Brasil

11:40-11:45

Quiz on CSA and synergies with Planetary Boundaries

11:45-12:25

Abstract presentations

10 min presentation + 5 min Q&A per author

3 selected abstract authors

12:25-12:55

Guided group discussions

Workshop / discussion that supports the development of a technical note outcome

12:55-13:00

Closing

Summary of key convergences, divergences, and gaps identified during the discussion

Next steps for policy and practice

Andrei Cechin & Virginia Antonioli
University of Brasília & WRI Brasil

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Andrei Cechin

UnB

Virginia Antonioli

WRI Brasil

THEMATIC LEAD PARTNERS

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