Food is a vital component of Colombia’s economy. The impact of climate change on agriculture and food security in the country is severe. The effects have resulted in decreased production and in the productivity of agricultural soil. Desertification processes are accelerating and intensifying. Colombia’s government formally submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) on December 29, 2020. This paper examines Colombia’s NDC from the standpoint of the food system.
Mitigation ambitions and targets: Studies show that methane emissions (mainly from enteric fermentation) need to decline by 10% by 2030 and by 35% by 2050 (from 2010 levels). Nitrous oxide emissions (mainly from fertilizers and manure) need to be reduced by 10% by 2030 and by 20% by 2050 (from 2010 levels).
Colombia’s NDC is much more in line with the country’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Colombia has increased its mitigation target from 20% of business as usual (BAU) by 2030, with a possible increase to 30% conditional on international support, to a 51% reduction unconditionally. The new target is also stated in absolute terms: emit no more than 169.44 MtCO2 eq by 2030. The updated NDC also includes measures and quantitative targets for key sectors to reduce deforestation by 50,000 ha per year by 2030. Colombia has also committed to reducing black carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2014.