The goal is to use carbon farming techniques to remove CO2 from the atmosphere to use it for improved green agriculture production. The motto and goal set for the farmers are to achieve high productivity by sequestering carbon and/or reducing GHG emissions.
However, carbon farming has been tagged with various opposing views and opinions. Due to its uncertainties and the problems related to carbon farming, the carbon farming certificates cannot be seen as a trustworthy or reliable way in the market.
Many experts share their opinion,
“Carbon credits are a shaky instrument: measurements inaccurate, C-stability questionable, humus pioneers disadvantaged…” Martin Häusling, spokesman on agricultural policy for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, said in a Twitter debate
“Carbon farming represents an interesting and unique opportunity as no other sector can store carbon as naturally and efficiently as farming can, while still producing quality food. But, it’s not a golden ticket or the solution for climate change at farm level.” EU farmers’ association Copa-Cogeca said in the same debate.
“Carbon farming should not be included in the measures under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). To ensure its widespread implementation, it would be necessary to finance carbon farming with additional funds, such as from emissions trading and “by giving greater consideration to private providers.” German Farmers’ Association DBV.
Another German farmers’ association, the Working Group for Rural Agriculture (AbL), rejects the “proposed financing system via private-sector emission certificates”, chairwoman Elisabeth Fresen.
“Carbon offsetting is truly a scammer’s dream scheme. It’s a bookkeeping trick intended to obscure climate-wrecking emissions. It’s tree planting window dressing aimed at distracting from ecosystem destruction. It is the next big thing in greenwashing — and we must not be fooled.” By Greenpeace.org
“In my opinion, this is neither constructive nor productive. When it comes to humus and soils, the focus must be on soil fertility, ecosystem services, and greater resilience to climate change, and not on CO2 sequestration, certificate trading, and carbon storage. Considering an isolated factor within an agricultural ecosystem in purely economic terms does not put enough value on ecosystem services and risks incentivising the adoption of one-sided measures.” Soil scientist perspective on Carbon farming certificates.
Even though, with so many views and opinions, carbon farming has been marketed by the European policymakers The European Commission released details on its carbon strategy this week, with carbon farming central to its hopes for CO2 removals. Plans include the development of a certification system – but a row is brewing over how this should be defined and measured.
The various carbon farming pilot projects have been pursued by the European Union for more data and insights for monitoring, reporting, and verification measures. Even Bayer is running the carbon farming pilot projects.
A three-year pilot project by crispbread maker Wasa is being participated by Swedish and German rye farmers and as well as by US agricultural firm Indigo for farming techniques. The project is focused on enabling humus build-up.
Verra, an Offset certificates standard-setter also provided an accounting standard for the project for quantifying greenhouse gas emission reductions and soil carbon storage.
Some of the well-known carbon farming schemes in Europe involved in generating removal credits are Agreena in Denmark, Climate Famers, and Carbocert in Germany. They are selling the schemes in the voluntary market. Some of them are also involved in offering farmer advice as well as measuring tools and services to generate and sale of carbon removal certificates.
The movement has not been supported by Australia.
Well if the experts in the soil field are not supporting such initiatives, it is always better to think before being involved in such policies. It has also been labeled as the Greenwashing scheme, that generates a danger zone for anybody who wishes to enhance their knowledge in the respective field.
Source:- cleanenergywire