Greenhouse gas emissions associated with agri-food systems in Africa increased by 40% to 2.9 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) between 2000 and 2022. This is according to FAO estimates in a report published in November 2024. Entitled "Greenhouse gas emissions from agrifood systems", the report highlights that with such a high level of carbon emissions, the continent has become the third region in the world where greenhouse gas emissions generated by agri-food practices are the highest behind Asia (6.8 Gt CO2eq) and America (4.3 Gt CO2eq). According to the UN Organization, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in Africa's agri-food systems remains land-use changes resulting in massive deforestation and the conversion of land to agricultural land. In 2022, these different practices accounted for 43% of the sector's carbon emissions for all countries on the continent, i.e. 1.24 Gt CO2eq. The expansion of agricultural activities (crops, livestock) comes in second place, accounting for 41% of greenhouse gas emissions in agri-food systems, followed by processing-related activities. The growth in emissions in Africa, however, contrasts with the overall dynamic. According to the FAO, the share of greenhouse gas emissions from agri-food systems has continued to decline worldwide, from 38% in 2000 to 29.7% in 2022, falling below 30% for the first time.
Source : Agence Ecofin
