Including agriculture in the international climate change negotiations leading up to the meeting of the 15th Conference of Parties (COP-15) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen in December 2009 is essential if fundamental mitigation and adaptation goals are to be met. Agriculture, together with land use change and forestry, is a significant contributor of greenhouse gases (GHG); with appropriate incentives and innovative institutions, agriculture can help mitigate GHG emissions. Moreover, climate change will have dramatic consequences for poor people; cost-effective ways must be found to help poor people, many of whom are farmers, to adapt to the changes.

Speakers will discuss why it is important to include agriculture on the agenda of the UNFCCC negotiations at the December COP-15 as well as identify how to communicate the key issues to negotiators in the months leading up to the COP-15. There will be ample time for discussion.

Advance copies of a policy brief by Gerald Nelson suggesting negotiating outcomes for both mitigation and adaptation programs to enhance the well-being of people who manage and depend on agriculture, especially in the developing world, will be shared at this event.