South America: climate change, agriculture and land use

Publication date: 17-09-2026
Extent: 40 pages

Contributions by: Patricia Ricci and Laura Gualdrón-Duarte, Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS INTA – CONICET), Argentina; Guilhermo Congio, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Andrea Irigoyen and Claudia Faverín, National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina; and Nuria Lewczuk, Emiliano Sosa and Germán Cantón, Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS INTA – CONICET), Argentina

Chapter synopsis:

This chapter examines the path to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in South American agriculture. Despite being a major global food exporter contributing less than 5% of global GHG emissions, the region faces a complex challenge due to significant social inequality, varying technology adoption levels, and high climate vulnerability. The analysis focuses on the agricultural sector, where ruminant livestock is a notable emission source. The chapter describes regional land use, explores suggested mitigation and adaptation strategies, describes current threats, and discusses the critical limitations to widespread adoption of management options to achieve net-zero agriculture. These barriers, exacerbated by a changing climate, include technological disparities, socioeconomic constraints, and the urgent need for context-specific solutions that balance environmental goals with food security and equity.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0169.16