8.6 International Affiliation

8.6 International Affiliation

The Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA) process was initiated at COP23 in November 2017 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It currently represents the most important international platform to discuss agriculture issues in relation to climate policies. Decision 4/CP.23 – Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture officially acknowledges the significance of the agriculture sectors in adapting to and mitigating climate change. The member countries to the UNFCCC agreed to work together to make sure that agricultural development ensures both increased food security in the face of climate change and a reduction in emissions. The joint work will address six topics related to soils, nutrient use, water, livestock, methods for assessing adaptation, and the socio-economic and food security dimensions of climate change across the agricultural sectors.

This work was to be carried out through workshops and expert group meetings. The timeframe for completion of the work of Koronivia as set out in the original decision has now run out and agreement was sought at COP27 in Egypt on the future work to be undertaken.

In Egypt the Subsidiary bodies continued their consideration of issues related to agriculture and a new decision was adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its 27th session, which included a new four-year work programme on agriculture and food security.

Ireland mainly participates in the Koronivia process through the EU’s Interest Group for Agriculture Forestry and other Land Use IG AFOLU. The EU’s position is that the work of Koronivia should continue but that the scope of the work should be expanded to examine the various aspects to “Global Food Systems Transformation”.

Ireland remains committed to the sharing of scientific knowledge and the coordination of research activities as seen through our continued involvement and leadership as a member of the Global Research Alliance (GRA). The GRA was launched in 2009 and now has 62 member countries from all regions of the world. The Alliance is focused on coordinating research, development and extension of technologies & practices that will help deliver ways to grow more food (and more climate-resilient food systems) without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ireland brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to the GRA with representation from the DAFM, Teagasc and the EPA. The broad contribution of researchers and representatives from these organisations reflects Ireland`s long standing reputation for efficiency in both animal and crop production.

In December 2022, in recognition of the importance and many similarities that the agricultural sector in Ireland shares with New Zealand, DAFM provided funding of over €3.6 million for Irish researchers in four climate and agriculture research projects arising from the 2022 Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Call.

The newly established Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Mechanism (JRM) is a pilot research initiative which is projected to run for an initial period of 3 years (2022-2024). The JRM is specifically focused on the identification of research gaps and the development of new technologies leading to a reduction in enteric methane emissions.

Figure from page 254