How can the tropical fruit sector contribute to climate action?

Climate change and its impacts pose significant risks for the long-term viability of tropical fruit production and trade. At the same time, production and trade of tropical fruits can contribute to climate change through the misuse of natural resources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As such, industry actors play a key role to improve the tropical fruit sector's capacity to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. 

How can the tropical fruit sector adapt to climate change?

The tropical fruit sector can adapt to climate change by improving the management of natural resources, accessing up-to-date climate forecasts and information, using sustainable technologies, and fostering collaboration. To support this, FAO developed comprehensive guides tailored for the avocado and pineapple sectors. Each guide identifies the main climate risks facing industries and shares good practices that may help to address such risks, while building the resilience of production systems. These guides were developed in close consultation with participating companies and producer associations from both sectors.

• Adapting to climate change in the tropical fruit industry: A technical guide for avocado producers and exporters
• Adapting to climate change in the tropical fruit industry: A technical guide for pineapple producers and exporters

How can the tropical fruit sector contribute to mitigating the drivers of climate change?

By measuring and reducing GHG emissions, companies in tropical fruit value chains can become more efficient, reduce their costs, enhance the resilience of their operations, and mitigate climate change. 

At the same time, water-related challenges are compounded by climate change. Quantifying water use and pollution are fundamental steps to reduce negative impacts on water and ensure its quantity, quality and continuity for a farm or company and the people and environment that share the resource. 

To help producers and companies address these challenges independently, FAO developed a technical guide with a methodology:

• Measuring carbon and water footprints in pineapple value chains

To support understanding and use of the carbon and water footprint measurement method, FAO prepared learning materials. Please first review the training guide for details on this integrated set of learning materials:

• Measuring carbon and water footprints in pineapple value chains – A training guide
• Measuring carbon and water footprints in pineapple value chains (introductory slide deck)
• Learning about carbon footprint measurements in pineapple value chains (practical training slide deck)
• Learning about water footprint measurements in pineapple value chains (practical training slide deck)