The Drawdown Roadmap for Food, Agriculture, and Land-Use
in Southeast Asia
|
|
Southeast Asia’s food, agriculture, and land-use (FALU) sector supports millions of livelihoods and sustains some of the world’s richest ecosystems. With the sector accounting for 54% of the region’s greenhouse gas emissions - more than twice the global average - the region plays a critical role in advancing climate action, food security, and nature protection.
Together with fellow members of the Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC), we supported Project Drawdown to develop the Drawdown Roadmap for Food, Agriculture, and Land-Use in Southeast Asia. Drawing on hundreds of data sources and high-resolution spatial analysis, the report maps emissions sources and mitigation opportunities, identifying priority solutions and places where focused efforts can have the greatest impact.
Together with fellow members of the Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC), we supported Project Drawdown to develop the Drawdown Roadmap for Food, Agriculture, and Land-Use in Southeast Asia. Drawing on hundreds of data sources and high-resolution spatial analysis, the report maps emissions sources and mitigation opportunities, identifying priority solutions and places where focused efforts can have the greatest impact.
(Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash)
Key Takeaways
The report finds that FALU emissions in Southeast Asia are concentrated in specific areas and practices. By focusing on emissions hotspots – areas with disproportionately high emissions and strong potential for reductions per hectare – the region can achieve meaningful mitigation while supporting communities and ecosystems.
The report finds that FALU emissions in Southeast Asia are concentrated in specific areas and practices. By focusing on emissions hotspots – areas with disproportionately high emissions and strong potential for reductions per hectare – the region can achieve meaningful mitigation while supporting communities and ecosystems.
- Unlock strong mitigation potential by focusing on FALU systems
Southeast Asia can reduce up to 1.9 billion tons of CO₂-eq per year from food and land-use systems without reducing crop yields. - Target the biggest levers
Protecting forests, peatlands, and mangroves - alongside improving rice cultivation practices - can deliver the majority of emissions reduction in Southeast Asia. - Focus on emissions hotspots
Targeting roughly 20% of high-priority areas can unlock 60-80% of mitigation potential across Southeast Asia:
• Protecting 20% of carbon-dense forests delivers 83% of forest-related reductions;
• Improving practices on 20% of rice farms achieves 64% of rice-related reductions;
• Improving nutrient management on 20% of farms captures 80% of fertiliser-related reductions - Tailor solutions to local realities
Climate priorities and challenges vary across and within countries - from forest and peatland protection in Indonesia to rice methane reduction in Vietnam. This underscores the importance of place-based approaches tailored to local contexts. - Pair climate mitigation with resilience
Many of the highlighted climate solutions also improve farmer livelihoods, air and water quality, and food security. Investing in such solutions not only reduces emissions but enhances community resilience and well-being.
The Roadmap provides a shared foundation for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and funders working to advance effective FALU solutions. It aims to support learning, collaboration, and partnerships grounded in local priorities across Southeast Asia.
Find out more: