1. Introduction: A Broken Food System

2. Environmental Impact of Agriculture

3. Regenerative Agriculture as a Solution

4. Steps for Corporates to Support Regenerative Agriculture

5. Mapping the Supply Chain

6. Collecting Data and Setting Baselines

7. Building a Roadmap and Securing Carbon Rights

8. Benefits of Regenerative Practices for Corporates and Farmers

9. Achieving Net Zero and Food Security by 2050

Today, our food system is in crisis. Not only does the food sector contribute to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it also drives nutrient runoff, synthetic chemical use, and significant biodiversity loss. These environmental impacts stem largely from agricultural practices, where over 70% of emissions occur “behind the farm gate.” For corporates and consumers, this broken system presents both a challenge and a unique opportunity to rebuild with sustainable solutions.

Agriculture has impacted multiple planetary boundaries, harming soil health, biodiversity, and water quality. The cumulative effect of intensive tillage, monocropping, and heavy pesticide use has degraded our soils and ecosystems, increasing the risk to food security. Without change, this degradation could escalate, threatening long-term survival and climate resilience. But regenerative agriculture offers a path forward. ​It is estimated that if just under half of the land that is currently available for regenerative agriculture were to transition, it could result in a total reduction of up to 23 gigatonnes of CO2e by 2050.

Regenerative agriculture includes practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic inputs. These regenerative practices restore soil health which, in turn, helps sequester carbon, improves water retention, and enhances biodiversity. Regenerative methods shift the paradigm, transforming farmers from contributors to climate issues into pivotal players in achieving environmental goals.

Corporations play a vital role in fostering regenerative practices. To support sustainable change, they must follow a few structured steps:

The journey begins with understanding the agricultural supply chain—who the farmers are, the crops they grow, and the specific regional challenges they face. By identifying these factors, companies can align their sustainability goals with farmers’ capabilities.

Corporates must gather data from the ground to assess current emissions and set reduction baselines. Establishing accurate baselines allows companies to set realistic targets for decarbonisation milestones in 2030, 2040, or 2050.

A well-defined roadmap includes securing carbon rights from farms. Ownership of these carbon rights is essential for corporates to make credible, verified claims and to prevent double-counting. By leveraging tools like Agreena’s MRV technology, companies can accurately track environmental outcomes.

Supporting regenerative agriculture delivers extensive benefits for both companies and farmers. Companies can achieve measurable sustainability goals, reducing Scope 3 emissions and increasing resilience across their supply chains. Farmers can benefit financially from carbon credits and ecosystem service payments while adopting long-term, resilient practices. Together, these benefits drive a shift towards a healthier food system and foster positive environmental change.

Regenerative agriculture provides a transformative solution to our food system’s environmental challenges. By prioritising soil health and engaging in collaborative supply chain initiatives, corporations and farmers can achieve both climate and food security goals. With a clear roadmap, accurate data, and assured environmental outcomes, this collaborative effort can lead to true decarbonisation and ensure a sustainable future.

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