In light of mounting evidence that climate change is already beginning to affect food production around the world, and coinciding with research suggesting that global food security will be seriously threatened by its impacts unless drastic action is taken, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has said more needs to be done to capitalise on agriculture's potential to mitigate global warming.

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On Tuesday, the FAO published a new guidance document in a bid to drive efforts to cut the greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Worldwide, the sector is directly responsible for over 10 percent of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (those generated by human activity), but the UN organisation remains convinced that transition to "improved farming practices" can reduce pollution and even provide benefits in the form of carbon sequestration – the storing of atmospheric carbon.

Last week, a study published in renowned journal Science showed that a shift towards 'climate-smart' farming is necessary as soon as possible if the worst effects of climate change are to be avoided; these, warned the international team of scientists behind the study, would have huge detrimental impacts on food security in areas of the globe that are already most vulnerable.

The mitigation measures in Tuesday's guidance document were put forward by a special FAO programme, which seeks to limit agricultural emissions and climate-proof the sector. Yet, the Mitigation of Climate Change in Agriculture (MICCA) Programme warned on Tuesday that "progress in drawing up agricultural GHG mitigation plans — as well as in allocating financing to climate change projects in the agriculture sector — is falling short of what is needed."

The group warned that there is a desperate need to identify barriers that have impeded farmers' adoption of mitigation practices thus far. FAO said, "Many agricultural practices that can mitigate climate change are already widely known, but effective policies need to identify why farmers may not be adapting them, work to remove any barriers, and facilitate the wider use of GHG reduction strategies."

MICCA hopes the new document will provide examples to policy makers in nations planning to reduce food and agriculture-related emissions, as well as highlighting opportunities for developing countries to secure climate financing for agriculture.

FAO said that mitigation planning needs to be tailored and country specific, but added that "Although opportunities and planning processes will vary from country to country based on local circumstances, a number of general principals hold true." Key planning elements are outlined in the document and approaches to involving smallholder farmers in the planning process are also highlighted. FAO is adamant that agricultural development should still be supported through any climate-proofing strategies and that farmers and other stakeholders must be involved in setting objectives, actions and targets.