The Paris Agreement and "Climate Neutrality": the Role for "Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use" Sector

Abstract

Achieving "climate neutrality" (or "net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions") has become one of the most relevant targets of climate change mitigation efforts worldwide. Yet, the important elements of this target remain uncertain. In this context, today, when countries implement the Paris Agreement into their national legal systems important practical questions arise: How to define "climate neutrality"? What is the time frame for its achievement? Which GHGs and which sectors to count towards achieving "net-zero GHG emissions"? More and more obvious becomes the fact that achieving this target requires not only rapid and deep GHG emissions reductions, but also the simultaneous protection and significant enhancement of GHG sinks, reservoirs and removals. In this context the "agriculture, forestry and other land use" (AFOLU) sector plays a crucial role. It is the single sector with significant potential for both, GHG emissions and their absorption. Russia's potential in this sector is tremendous. Therefore, the investigation into how legislation in the AFOLU sector can contribute to "climate neutrality" is of particular interest for the country. The article, firstly, sets the background by providing the state of affairs in the international climate protection cooperation efforts and highlighting the most pressing questions, which require research. Secondly, the article investigates the key elements which help to understand and define the "climate neutrality" target. Thirdly, the role of the AFOLU sector towards achieving "net-zero GHG emissions" is discussed. Fourthly, the article investigates the role of legislation contributing towards the "climate neutrality" target, focusing on the relevant legal areas for the AFOLU sector and suggesting their potential synergetic effect. Finally, the conclusion brings the findings of the article together, suggesting that achieving the "climate neutrality" target will require a broad range of policies and measures, including the "long-term low GHG emissions development strategies" (LTS) and legal frameworks, which, inter alia, need to take into consideration the AFOLU sector specificity and provide for appropriate safeguards. Further comparative research is required into the legal areas indicated in the article, in order to support climate protection in the AFOLU sector and promote synergies towards the "climate neutrality" target.