AgreenaCarbon is now Verra registered: A game-changing milestone for regenerative agriculture
Unearthing the potential: What is soil, and why does it matter in the voluntary carbon market?
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Table of Contents:
Regenerative agriculture and soil carbon sequestration: A symbiotic relationship
Soil carbon credits: A tangible path to corporate sustainability
Introduction: The importance of soil
In the increasingly complex landscape of corporate sustainability, soil has emerged as a crucial, yet often overlooked, player. But what exactly is soil, and how does it connect to the rapidly evolving carbon market? At Agreena, we love soil, and firmly believe that a deep appreciation of soil is the bedrock on which effective and lasting climate action is built. Let's delve into the depths of this vital resource, exploring its multifaceted role in our planet's health and the global economy.
What is soil? Beyond mere dirt
Soil is far more than just the dirt beneath our feet. It's a dynamic, living ecosystem, a complex and intricate mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and a vast, often unseen, community of living organisms. It's the very foundation of our global food systems, supporting the growth of the crops that nourish us, and a critical, indispensable component of the Earth's carbon cycle.
- The living, breathing ecosystem: Soil teems with life, from microscopic bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter and cycle nutrients, to larger organisms like earthworms that aerate the soil and improve its structure. This rich biodiversity is absolutely essential for maintaining healthy soil function, ensuring its ability to support plant life and store carbon.
- A massive carbon reservoir: Soil possesses the remarkable ability to store vast amounts of carbon, acting as a critical carbon sink that helps regulate the Earth's climate. This natural capacity to sequester carbon is where the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture comes into play.
Regenerative agriculture and soil carbon sequestration: A symbiotic relationship
Regenerative agriculture practices, such as mulching residue, the use of cover cropping, and optimised fertiliser use, are designed to enhance soil health and significantly increase soil carbon sequestration. These practices work in harmony with nature, fostering a symbiotic relationship between agriculture and the environment.
Utilising these methods improves soil structure, creating a more porous and stable environment that allows it to hold more carbon. This increased carbon storage not only reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide but also enhances soil fertility and water-holding capacity. By also increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, regen ag further improves soil health, reduces erosion, and improves water retention, mitigating the effects of both drought and extreme rainfall. This leads to healthier, more resilient crops and a more sustainable agricultural system.
Brian Broedsgaard, a Danish AgreenaCarbon farmer in Latvia, has witnessed firsthand the profound benefits of these practices. ‘Since implementing regenerative practices, I've observed significant improvements in both biodiversity and water management on the field level. We’ve seen an increase in native plant species and beneficial insects, which has positively impacted soil health and natural pest control. Additionally, improved soil structure has enhanced water infiltration and retention, reducing runoff and promoting better drought resilience.’
Soil carbon credits: A tangible path to corporate sustainability
The nature-driven process of soil carbon sequestration creates valuable opportunities for companies to reduce their unavoidable emissions through the purchase of high-quality, high-integrity verified soil carbon credits. These credits provide a tangible and measurable way for businesses to support regenerative agriculture and contribute to global climate action. However, ensuring the quality, additionality, and traceability of these credits is of paramount importance. Companies need to know where and how the carbon is being sequestered; that their investments are making a real and measurable impact.
Agreena is committed to providing verified, traceable soil carbon credits with real-time monitoring, robust reporting, and activity-specific field baselines that aim to provide integrity in the market that is equal to or above emerging regulatory frameworks like the EU CRCF. We ensure that every credit we offer meets the highest standards of integrity and transparency, as certified by Verra.
Addressing hard-to-abate emissions
For many businesses, particularly those with complex supply chains, tackling hard-to-abate emissions is a major challenge. Soil carbon credits offer a valuable solution.
- By investing in soil carbon sequestration projects, businesses can effectively offset emissions from sources that are difficult or impossible to eliminate directly.
- This approach allows companies to make tangible progress towards their net-zero goals while supporting sustainable agriculture and rural communities.
- Agreena's expertise in soil carbon sequestration and our focus on high-quality credits make us an ideal partner for businesses seeking to address their hard-to-abate emissions.
Conclusion: Empowering climate action through soil
Soil is a powerful and often underestimated ally in the global fight against climate change. By deepening our understanding of its potential and embracing regenerative agriculture practices, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for all. At Agreena, we're dedicated to empowering businesses to leverage the power of soil carbon sequestration for meaningful and lasting climate action.
Orders for Verra-certified carbon credits are open.