Balancing co-benefits and trade-offs between climate change mitigation and adaptation innovations under mixed crop-livestock systems in semi-arid Zimbabwe

Abstract Achieving Zimbabwe’s national and international commitments to food systems transformation climate resilience building is of high priority. Integrated simulation-based research approaches developed under the Agricultural Model Intercomparison Improvement Project (AgMIP) are important sources evidence guide policy decisions towards sustainable intensification. Through identification economically viable, socially inclusive environmentally development pathways, analysis in this study evaluates co-benefits trade-offs between change adaptation mitigation interventions for vulnerable smallholder crop-livestock holdings semi-arid regions Zimbabwe. We explore how effects disrupt livelihoods security diverse farm types, extremely those better resource endowed but facing risks. In an iterative process with experts stakeholders, we co-developed context specific pathways. They include market-oriented social protection mechanisms that would support transition more intensified, diversified integrated systems. assess associated adoption climate-smart aimed at improving incomes may have consequences on GHG emissions different pathways types. The approach results inform discussion drivers can bring about intensification, extent which socio-economic benefits could enhance uptake emission reducing technologies thereof. strategy evaluate result win–win outcomes, is, adaptation-mitigation co-benefits, what imply policies aim transforming agri-food