Greenhouse gases (GHG) in the agricultural sector: a case study for the department of Cauca

Abstract

The department of Cauca, characterized by its wide agroecological and productive diversity, faces significant challenges in quantifying and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although major emission sources have been identified, the available data do not accurately reflect the dynamics of productive sub-activities, revealing gaps in the measurement of specific emission and absorption sources. This limitation constrains the development of mitigation strategies that are aligned with regional conditions and hampers the integration of results into effective local policies. Therefore, it is necessary to complement existing information with field studies, continuous monitoring, and close collaboration among producers, institutions, and regional stakeholders to generate more representative and reliable data. This approach would strengthen regional inventories and support the implementation of mitigation programs that acknowledge the diversity of agricultural systems, thereby contributing to more comprehensive, sustainable, and context-specific GHG management in Cauca.