Agriculture

Agriculture employs over 800 million people worldwide, the majority of whom work in smallholder farms and earn less than $2 per day. This makes them highly vulnerable to shocks and disruptions, and reduces their capacity to adapt, invest in and implement more sustainable practices.

At the same time, global food demand is rising, and concerns about food security are increasing as climate change (disruptions in weather patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events) and air pollution (impacts of ground-level ozone and black carbon on crops) threaten agricultural production. Exposure to ground-level ozone is estimated to lead to 79-121 million tons of crop losses per year (Avnery et al., 2011).

While agriculture is vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution and climate change, it also contributes significantly to emissions of air pollutants (15% of global PM2.5) and short-lived climate pollutants (9.5% of global black carbon and 48% of global methane) (EDGAR 2018-2022).

Solutions exist and can simultaneously increase agricultural productivity and sustainability while protecting farmers livelihoods and global food security.

15% of global PM2.5 emissions come from the agricultural sector.

9.5% of global black carbon comes from the agricultural sector. In some parts of the world, this figure goes up to 30% during the crop residue burning season.

79-121 million tons of crop are lost each year due to exposure to ground-level ozone.

99,000 premature deaths per year are linked to acute exposure to fire-related PM2.5 (including crop residue burning).

Solutions and multiple benefits

The development of replicable and profitable “no-burn” alternatives is key to reduce emissions from crop residue burning. This includes in-situ management strategies (mulching, soil incorporation, in-field composting) as well as ex-situ strategies, using crop residue that would otherwise be burned as valuable inputs for other industries (animal feed, compost, biochar, bioenergy, packaging materials...). These solutions create economic opportunities for farmers and generate new jobs, while cutting pollution and associated health and environmental impacts.

Improved livestock manure management (covers, composting, anaerobic digestion) and optimised nitrogen fertiliser use (precision application, slow-release formulations) are also crucial mitigation measures to reduce ammonia emissions contributing to the formation of secondary PM2.5.

Together, these interventions can improve air quality, protect human health, and boost crop yields, making resilient and sustainable agricultural systems profitable for all.

AQMx Sectoral Guidance: Alternatives to Crop Residue Burning

The AQMx Sectoral Guidance provides practical, action-oriented instructions for implementing proven policies and measures that reduce air pollutants and short-lived climate pollutants. Each guidance package breaks down what to do, how to do it, and what capacities are needed at national and local levels to deliver results. It brings together the best available knowledge from partner organizations—including data, tools, models, and technical resources—into a single, easy-to-use reference point. This one-stop-shop approach helps governments avoid duplication and quickly identify solutions that work.

The guidance is designed to meet the needs of air quality managers, national and local authorities, and sectoral agencies working to cut pollution while supporting development goals. It responds directly to common implementation barriers, offering clear steps, practical examples, and links to further support.