The use of more efficient crops varieties, the better control of wildfires, the improvement of natural resource management, the capture of biogas from animal manure and the restoration of land by controlled grazing... are some of the tracks explored by FAO experts.

Dozens of surveys conducted worldwide show that up to 30 per cent reduction in emissions from residential and commercial buildings can be achieved by 2030 at a net negative cost, through measures such as improved ventilation and insulation, stepped up use of natural lighting and the use of solar and other natural heat sources.

Wells of steam, able to generate 4-5 MW of electricity and one yielding a bumper amount of 8MW – enough to power about 5,700 homes – have been hit using the new technology.

Carbon capture and storage can help mitigate climate change but conservationists need to assess the risks to biodiversity.