Resource information
This country note briefly summarizes
information relevant to both climate change and agriculture
in Panama, with focus on policy developments (including
action plans and programs) and institutional make-up. Like
most countries in Latin America, Panama has submitted one
national communication to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with a second one
under preparation. Land use change and forestry are by far
the largest contributors to green house gas (GHG) emissions
in the country. The emission reduction potential of the
sector is large, but not sufficiently explored. Panama
counts with only five Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
projects, none of which are in the agricultural sector. It
is estimated that Central America produces less than 0.5
percent of global carbon emissions, but it is one the most
vulnerable regions to climate change related impacts on the
planet. Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate
variability and weather extremes, this coupled with problems
of land degradation in the country. A greater emphasis on
reducing soil degradation, reforestation and developing and
applying adequate insurance mechanisms can be placed for
better management of public resources in light of natural
disasters in the agriculture sector.
