Farms Tackle Climate Change: Soil's Secret Weapon?

Global agriculture and its supply chain are responsible for nearly a third of total greenhouse gas emissions, with farms contributing nearly half of this amount. Simultaneously, this sector is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Companies like Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, Carlsberg, and Diageo are investing in regenerative agriculture. This approach focuses on restoring soil health, which can lock away carbon absorbed by plants, thereby increasing fertility and water retention. Practices include reducing land disturbance, increasing plant diversity, and planting cover crops.

Soil Capital, a Belgian company, partners with farmers to increase soil carbon levels, issuing certificates for carbon improvements that businesses can purchase to offset their emissions. These certificates cost between 20-60 euros, with farmers receiving 70% of the proceeds. This financial incentive is crucial for farmers operating on low margins.

Despite these efforts, some experts question the scale of climate mitigation possible through regenerative agriculture. While acknowledging improvements in soil erosion, water retention, and quality, they express skepticism about significant carbon sequestration on working farmlands and cite barriers such as costs and limited implementation time for practices like cover cropping.