Agriculture, forestry and other land uses in Nationally Determined Contributions: the outlook for Africa

This paper sought to examine how Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) activities and their contributions are represented in the post 2020 climate change commitments of African countries and assess the necessary conditions for their successful implementation. Secondary data on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) was collected from 52 African countries whereas primary data was obtained from Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis approaches were used. The study revealed that agricultural management (88%), wetland restoration/conservation (75%) and afforestation/reforestation (58%) were the preferred AFOLU sector adaptation activities whereas forest management (55%), bioenergy (62%) and afforestation/reforestation (78%) were proposed for mitigation. The implementation of these activities will depend on technical and financial resources as well as capacity building. The overlap of adaptation and mitigation AFOLU sector activities presents an opportunity to develop strategies and policy frameworks for synergy outcomes in Africa.