Farmers targeted for carbon emissions

Agriculture is the single biggest human-influenced contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. And as more and more countries — the U.S. and Canada included — bring forth bills to regulate emissions, farmers will be asked to do their part.

On Friday, I talked with Sara Scherr, president of Ecoagriculture Partners in the U.S. She says, “I don’t think we can have a meaningful response to climate change without contribution from agriculture."

        An Ecoagriculture report (EP Policy Focus, Agriculture & Climate Change, Aug 2009.pdf) says more than 30 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions arise from the land use sector. The biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions from land use come from deforestation, fertilizer use and digestion by ruminant livestock. The box on the left comes from that report. Click on the box to enlarge the numbers. 

Scherr says the best ways for farmers to reduce emissions is through reduced tillage, perennial crops, and livestock management — reduce methane discharge from animals and capture biogas from manure stores.

The U.S. is working on a bill for regulating greenhouse gas reductions, and it will include incentives for farmers. “I don’t think the U.S. can pass a climate bill that does not have benefits to farmers,” Scherr says.

In Canada, we will also get a national regulated program eventually. For now, Alberta is the only jurisdiction in North America with emissions regulations. Alberta is doing the groundwork for the whole continent, testing agriculture emissions-reduction protocols that could work elsewhere. The province has a new protocol in the works so farmers can get credits for reduced fertilizer use, encouraging spring application and soil banding to reduce losses. It may be in place for spring 2010.

        If you want info from the U.K., I have a PDF brochure from the U.K.'s Department of Environment, Farm and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with case studies of farmers and their steps to reduce emissions. Email me if you want a copy. 

Regardless of your opinion on climate change, get used to the idea of more regulations on carbon, nitrous oxides and methane emissions. The good news, at least for the near term, is that policies are likely provide farmers with financial compensation for any emissions cuts you achieve.