National Climate Assessment: Climate Mitigation and Agriculture—Public Policy Education

Abstract:

Climate change mitigation is complex and controversial; public policy education on costs and benefits can further inform agricultural producers and decision-makers. This project analyzes impacts of mitigation policies and assesses how they might affect agricultural production and income in AZ and NM, with a special focus on the high value fruit, vegetable, and nut crops important to Southwest agriculture. We will assess impacts on input costs, output prices and potential revenue from sale of agricultural carbon offsets, and quantify how allowances for energy intensive, trade exposed industries can significantly reduce agricultural costs. We will use representative farm analyses, which allow growers to estimate implications for their own operations.

Project Partners:

• American Farmland Trust