The role and potential of inland fisheries in low-emission food production and climate change mitigation
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Extremely low greenhouse gas emissions are an overlooked environmental benefit of inland capture fisheries that complements their significant role in supporting livelihoods and food and nutrition security. Their avoided emissions can be calculated from the increased emissions from replacement animal protein sources, the most viable being livestock. "Attributional" avoided emissions refer to the value of current production, whereas "consequential" avoided emissions refer to the impacts of future changes through policy, management and investment that sustain or enhance inland fishery productivity, including through restoration. Low emissions from inland fisheries are due to the domination of small-scale, non-motorized operations with minimal energy used for transport and processing and minimal land-use change. Globally, inland fisheries currently avoid approximately 215 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually – around 3.5 percent of total livestock emissions – valued at about USD 20 billion per year based on current carbon prices, similar to their monetary value as food. Their relative role in national greenhouse gas balances depends on the level of fish production and total national emissions. Where significant inland fisheries occur, the attributional emissions avoided range from 3.5 percent to 17.1 percent of total national emissions in Asian nations like Viet Nam and Cambodia, respectively, and from 66.1 percent to 184.4 percent in African countries like the United Republic of Tanzania and Malawi, respectively. Despite these significant contributions, inland fisheries remain invisible in climate policy and carbon financing discussions. Recognizing their role in avoiding emissions is essential for fostering sustainable food systems, supporting ecosystem services, and advancing climate change mitigation efforts toward net-zero goals.