Duncan Mboyah
Experts from around the world specializing in tea are convening in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to create a plan for achieving zero-net carbon emissions within the tea industry.
Experts from tea-producing nations such as Sri Lanka, India, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, and Kenya have come together with the objective of transforming the tea industry into one that produces zero-net carbon emissions. This initiative becomes particularly crucial given the current challenges posed by climate change and the need for greater environmental sustainability within the sector.
Dr. Daneswar Poonyth, an economist working in the markets and trade division of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that after development, this framework would assist tea-producing nations in decreasing their carbon emissions.
"The framework seeks to enable tea-producing nations to decrease carbon emissions and create green financing as part of their achievements in fulfilling their nationally determined contributions," explained Dr. Poonyth to reporters gathered for the meeting at a Nairobi hotel.
He mentioned that once completed, the framework will be delivered to tea-producing nations for review. Following this evaluation, guidelines will be created to assist the industry in adhering to climate change regulations.
Dr. Poonyth emphasized that the framework is crucial for enhancing climate resilience, ensuring environmental sustainability, and sustaining global market competitiveness, considering that agriculture generates significant greenhouse gas emissions.
He noted that FAO acknowledges tea's significant part in rural growth, poverty alleviation, and food safety, especially in developing nations where it acts as a main means of income.
Dr. Poonyth further stated that the UN organization is eager to assist the tea industry since it significantly contributes to the economies of nations producing tea. Additionally, it offers jobs and financial opportunities for countless individuals involved in growing and processing tea.
The official noted that tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability necessitates an all-encompassing zero-carbon approach aimed at decreasing the sector's carbon emissions and boosting overall ecological viability.
Barack Okoba, who works as the Programme Manager for Resilience, Livelihoods, and Climate Change at the FAO Kenya office, stated that the earnings of approximately 760,000 small-scale tea farmers in Kenya are under threat due to climate change.
He mentioned that FAO Kenya is partnering with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to develop tea clones capable of enduring harsh impacts from climate change.
This framework aims to certify tea as a low-carbon crop, enabling farmers to obtain higher prices for their produce and contributing to the global sustainability of the tea industry.
As per the officials, the structure and rules will be shared with tea-producing nations at the FAO Intergovernmental Group meeting focused on sustainability and worldwide low-carbon efforts concerning agricultural goods in Colombo, Sri Lanka, before the end of the year.
Key stakeholders including tea producers, manufacturers, government officials, and scientists are participating in this gathering.