Ecosystem-based mitigation and adaptation (EBMA): exploring the synergies in agroforestry

As the impacts of climate change are felt and expected to further stress human and natural ecosystems, it is vital that essential ecosystem services are maintained in order to protect human wellbeing.

The rural poor in developing countries are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ecosystem services help improves human wellbeing and may enhance resilience and reduce risk for local communities.

Ecosystems provide a venue where the synergies between adaptation and mitigation can be optimized and trade-offs reduced.

There are two options to address climate change:
(1) Mitigation
(2) Adaptation

Historically, both has been treated separately due to its differences in spatial, temporal and sectoral scales. However, there has been recent focus in research and policy on synergies between adaptation and mitigation that will provide for win-win solutions. However, there is still the need to look more into the synergies and conflicts at different scales.