Farming across Europe is changing. After years of unpredictable weather, volatile markets, and shifting policies, many farmers are searching for ways to build resilience and secure their businesses for the future. One of the most promising opportunities lies in the rise of carbon markets, a new way to turn good stewardship of the land into a reliable income stream.

Carbon markets are systems where the environmental benefits created by farmers, such as storing carbon in soil or reducing carbon emissions, can be measured, verified, and sold as credits or units. These credits are then purchased by companies looking to meet their ambitious environmental goals, for example achieving net zero emissions or restoring nature.

For European farmers, carbon markets offer a practical route to get paid for the positive impact you’re making on the land. The most established of these markets today is the soil carbon market, but opportunities are rapidly expanding to include biodiversity, water, and other ecosystem services.

Soil carbon is taken seriously: In January, Agreena became the first large-scale soil carbon programme to achieve registration under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard, a world-leading and accepted carbon standard. Buyers are now taking soil carbon credits seriously.

Demand is growing: Carbon markets are evolving and the timelines aren’t always what farmers (or Agreena) would want. But another harvest year of payments for Agreena farmers is on the horizon. We’ve secured buyers such as LDC and Radisson Hotel Group, whose funding will flow to farmers once Verra credits are issued later this year.

Scale of farmer community: The number of farmers taking part in soil carbon programmes has grown significantly over the past year. Agreena alone partners with farmers across 4.5m hectares of farmland across Europe and is the largest soil carbon programme in Europe.

Technology has advanced: Companies like Agreena can now remote sense farming practices across entire countries and for the past years has operated one of Europe’s largest soil sampling programmes.

Can’t afford to fail: With policy shocks, extreme weather and falling commodity prices in 2025, securing an additional income stream from carbon markets is even more critical.

Thomas Gent, a UK farmer and Regen Ag Lead Agreena, has seen the benefits of carbon markets first-hand. “Healthy soils are the basis of a strong and profitable farming business. Finding additional income streams that support this is essential. I believe carbon markets can and will form part of this,” he says.

1. You adopt regenerative practices on your farm

2. Agreena measures, verifies and packages that climate impact for corporates, using world-leading standards like Verra

3. Agreena markets your carbon credits or emissions data to climate-committed buyers looking to support UK farmers

4. When buyers are found and credits are issued, the value begins the flow, providing much needed finance back to farmers

Carbon markets are opening up a new chapter for European farmers - one where good stewardship is not just its own reward, but also a source of real income. By measuring, verifying, and monetising the environmental benefits you create, you can build resilience, diversify your business, and join a growing community of farmers shaping the future of farming.

Ready to unlock the value of your stewardship? Explore Agreena’s platform and start your journey into carbon markets today.

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