Verra’s Post

🗝️ As food, land, and agriculture (#FLAG) organizations endeavor to meet ambitious #ClimateGoals set by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), clear guidance is key. Our must-read guide, a collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund and EDF + Business, provides just that—clear guidance and a strategic framework for prioritizing 3️⃣ types of action: ➡️ Act to implement scalable solutions  ➡️ Advocate to reduce barriers to adoption of solutions  ➡️ Advance promising solutions from R&D to commercialization Dig into our findings and recommendations: https://lnkd.in/g4kW-JCP

One of the insightful discussions in #Worldagritech emphsized focusing on managing #food, #fiber, and #fuel demands while addressing #climate change, led by Robert Bonnie, USDA's Under Secretary for Farm Production & Environment. #USDA promotes voluntary collaboration and explores new markets. Industry leaders like Alison Taylor #ADM, David Babson #XPRIZE, Livio Tedeschi #BASF Agricultural Solutions & CropLife International), and David J. Hayes (Stanford Law School) discuss consensus-based on new tech, and information-sharing for carbon and GHG monitoring. They emphasize the synergy between regenerative #agriculture and #climate action, highlighting a significant opportunity for the agricultural sector. #climateimpact #food #farmer #yieldproduxtion #foodenergynexus #water #agriculture

The Australian Government has agreed, or agreed in principle, to all 15 recommendations in the Climate Change Authority’s 2023 review of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, which establishes the Australian Carbon Credit Units Scheme. The #ACCUScheme is a voluntary scheme that supports investment in projects to reduce emissions or store carbon. The authority’s recommendations focus on:  • enhancing the scheme’s transparency, including publishing more information about ACCU projects and decisions made by the Integrity Committee • strengthening method review processes, including more regular reviews • increasing scheme participation for #FirstNations people and rural, regional and remote communities • keeping up with #globalcarbonmarket developments. The recommendations build on the Independent Review of the Australian Carbon Credit Units, led by Professor Ian Chubb AC, which also recommended improvements to governance, transparency and enhancing confidence in the integrity and effectiveness of the scheme. Read the government’s response https://bit.ly/3AIWm8M  

I'm somewhat surprised by the dramatic reactions to changing the EU's #CarbonRemoval certification framework to #CarbonRemovals and #CarbonFarming. Since the legislative proposal was first published, it has not been exclusively about removals. Yes, many stakeholders strongly pushed to make it exclusively about removals—I myself was eagerly advocating for it as well—but unfortunately that didn't make it through the negotiations. Those who followed the process from the start still remember the events and speeches at which high-level Commission officials focused only on carbon farming in the CRCF context. Anyone who read the provisional agreement published in February saw that the title was changed from the original proposal to "Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products". The press release highlighted that the CRCF covers both removals and reductions. So, it was only a matter of time before the framework's name for daily use would be updated to reflect this. Does it mean that the CRCF covers more emission reduction activities from carbon farming than before? No, the agreed legislative text has not been changed. Does it bring more focus to carbon farming? Absolutely, and that is aligned with the Commission's narrative around the initiative from the start. Will the Carbon Removals Expert Group's name also be updated now? Let's see.

#EcoRegistry participated today in the "Rules on Verification and Registries" event, organized by the European Commission under the framework of the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification (CRCF). During this hybrid session, we provided key insights on the requirements for registries, such as the #transparency of information, process #traceability to ensure the quality of credits, and the use of advanced technology to safeguard credits, preventing double counting of environmental asset credits. 🌱 The CRCF establishes a voluntary certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products, with verification requirements to be specified through EU Implementing Acts. The ideas discussed in this event will drive key actions toward a more robust and trustworthy carbon market. We are proud to have been part of this important conversation and thanks to the others panelists David Gazdag, Andrew V.. Juan David Duran Hernandez #CRCF #CarbonRemoval #Sustainability #Verification #CarbonMarkets #ClimateAction #EcoRegistry

It's time to start a price signal to reduce agricultural GHG emissions, argues Ottmar #Edenhofer, EU chief #climate scientist & @MCC_Berlin @PIK_Climate Director, in @FT. Otherwise, it is “almost impossible” to cut overall 1990 emissions by 90% by 2040. https://lnkd.in/e2yUrUff

"August 14 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken a significant step towards promoting climate-smart agriculture by announcing its plan to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council. This initiative is part of the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aims to connect farmers with resources to engage in environmental credit markets effectively. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the council's role in reducing market confusion and aiding small to mid-sized farmers in accessing verified environmental markets, thereby aligning with the Administration's climate goals. The council will also advise on improving voluntary environmental credit markets and reducing entry barriers for farmers. The USDA seeks diverse expertise for the council, including farmers, researchers, and industry experts, to ensure broad and effective guidance." #aginvestment #agfunding #farmingsolutions #agmanagement #agpolicy #farmingsolutions #farmers #aginnovation #agmarkets USDA US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) https://lnkd.in/eUx2i_QU

There is no #NetZero without an agricultural transformation and carbon removals We need financial incentives for land managers to build a climate-smart agricultural system, whereby today virtually all investment is coming from the private sector. The #SoilCarbon market is a pivotal mechanism in this context, aligning economic incentives with environmental stewardship. The mounting interest in regenerative agriculture from agribusinesses underscores its critical role in establishing a robust and resilient food supply. Great article by the International Soil Carbon Industry Alliance (ISCIA) members: Andrea Okun, Erica Johnson, Jeff Seale and Magda Kufrej (she/her). https://lnkd.in/dD2c7PM8

In AgriFutures' latest Horizon Scanning report, we explore the forces set to shape rural industries over the next decade. One major shift will be the rise of mandatory climate and nature-related disclosures in agriculture. Businesses will face increased pressure to disclose the financial impact of key climate and nature metrics and set clear targets for reducing ecosystem impacts. There is an urgent need for the industry to engage in developing both local and global disclosure frameworks. By participating now, we can ensure these frameworks accurately reflect Australia's unique production conditions. Hit the link for more on the forces shaping rural industries 👉 https://bit.ly/4etw4XA #ArtificialIntelligence #AgriTech #RuralInnovation #FutureFarming #AgriFuture #SmartFarming #AustraliaAgTech

Exciting news from our portfolio company, Central Coast Worm Farm! With the support of a new $4.2 million USDA grant https://lnkd.in/dJKXvfgB, the Central Coast team can expand its vermicompost operations — creating local jobs and scaling up its production of high-value soil amendments that divert agricultural waste from landfills, prevent greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil health, and reduce run-off. Kudos to the team! Rich Baltimore Caleb Adams #Impact #sustainability #compost #USDA #regenerativeag