Agricultural systems make a significant contribution to greenhouse gas production and environmental pollution. Addressing this issue requires an integrated approach to mitigate these effects and develop production systems that are climate-smart and environmentally friendly.
To tackle this challenge, Dr. Ibrahim Khalil established the Climate-Resilient Agri-Environmental Systems (CRAES) group, which received a Strategic Priority Award from University College Dublin (UCD) Earth Institute. This group utilized UCD’s diverse expertise and collaborates with national and international partners to find solutions.
In 2020, the inaugural “International Symposium on Climate-Resilient Agri-Environmental Systems (ISCRAES)” was organized. The symposium provided a platform to discuss the scientific and technical aspects associated with the environmental impact of agricultural systems. These discussions encompassed various interrelated issues, including public perception, regulatory frameworks, and socio-economic factors. During the first ISCRAES in 2020, a decision was made to hold the symposium biennially under the coordination of a national organizing committee chaired by Dr. Khalil. The second edition of the symposium took place in Dublin, Ireland, in 2022.
Furthermore, there is potential to establish an additional platform called the “International Society of Climate-Resilient Agri-Environmental Systems (ISCRAES).” The primary objective of this society would be to promote agri-environmental research, modeling, and technology development. Additionally, it aims to equip education and training providers with the necessary knowledge, technologies, skills, and support to deliver high-quality teaching and learning services globally.