Agrifood system carbon emissions and reduction policy: insights from China and Africa

Amid climate change and food security challenges, transforming agricultural systems in middle- and low-income countries is crucial for carbon neutrality and sustainable development. China and Africa, responsible for 32% of global agricultural emissions, share agricultural similarities despite different development stages. China’s modernization efforts offer valuable insights for Africa, highlighting opportunities for increased Sino-African cooperation. This study, analyzing FAO data from 2000 to 2021, compares emission trends, sources, inputs, and mitigation policies in China and Africa. It reveals that
Africa’s emissions remained consistently higher than China’s, which grew faster compared to Africa’s 40% increase. Notably, Africa shows regional disparities in emissions, with the highest increases in East and Central Africa (56% and 54%, respectively), while North and South Africa show slower growth. Structurally, China’s emissions have transitioned from production to pre- and post-production stages. Conversely, Africa’s emissions mainly stem from agricultural production (42%) and land-use changes (43%), emphasizing challenges in resource management and reliance on land expansion. The rapid growth of Africa’s pre- and post-production emissions highlights the supply chain’s growing role in emissions, with regional variations, such as livestock and rice cultivation driving emissions in East and West Africa, and land-use changes in Central Africa. China and Africa’s agricultural policies differ significantly. China adopts multi-objective policies promoting green, lowcarbon development, whereas Africa focuses on short-term yield increases with heavy reliance on fertilizers, conflicting with low-carbon objectives. Learning from China could help Africa balance food security, income stability, and environmental sustainability, providing a pathway to achieve both food security and carbon reduction.

Li, X.; Zhang, Y.; Fan, S.; Ouedraogo, I.