Two Essays on Climate Change and Agriculture: A Developing Country Perspective (Economic & Social Development Papers)

The agricultural sector is closely linked to climate change. Agriculture has a significant impact on the process of climatic change while the latter has a potential effect on agricultural production. There is still considerable uncertainty surrounding the implications of climate change for agricultural production and the most effective ways to mitigate undesirable effects. The two studies included in this publication deal with issues related to major sources of uncertainty surrounding the relationship between agricultural production and climate change. The first study, by Robert Mendelsohn, addresses the impact of climate change on agriculture. It provides an analysis of the various methodologies that have been employed in measuring the potential impacts of climate change on agricultural production, and makes suggestions for future research. In the second study, by Dirgha Tiwari, the subject is the impact of agriculture on climate. A detailed analysis is made of the potential for implementing the Clean Development Mechanism proposed under the Kyoto Protocol Convention on Climate Change, in the agricultural sector of developing countries, along with relevant policy implications and requirements. Summaries in Arabic, French and Spanish of the two essays are included.