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New climate change guidance for the agricultural, land use and forestry sector

22/09/2022
Amy Verbeke and Sofie Pierreux

Our food system, along with forestry and other land uses, accounts for more than a quarter of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it the largest emitter after the energy sector. What we eat has a huge impact on our ecological footprint. And this means that, by considering changes in our food production mechanisms, there are many climate gains to be made. How can we capitalize on these? And what role can companies inside and outside the sector play?

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high reduction potential

There is no denying the climate-related potential of companies in agriculture-intensive sectors, the latest IPCC report on mitigation and climate change confirms. For starters, there is a significant margin for the sector to reduce its own emissions. Because these emissions consist mainly of N2O and CH4 (accounting for 298 and 25 carbon equivalents, respectively), they have a higher warming potential than sectors that emit mainly CO2, and can thus achieve greater climate gains. In addition, measures in this sector often have positive effects on other environmental challenges, such as biodiversity.

The agriculture and forestry sector is expected to become quasi-climate neutral by 2050, in order to stay in line with the predetermined international targets. Not an easy task when you know that food production would have to increase by 50-70% by the same time to feed the growing world population.

reduction in the field

That the time for action is urgent is also known by the Belgian organizations Farming for Climate and Bel Belgium. Pascal Durdu, co-founder of Farming for Climate explains: "We know about sustainable farming techniques that simultaneously store CO2 in the soil and develop and expand ecosystem services. It is high time to support local farmers in these sustainable production endeavors, and give companies their role in it as well. That is why we link interested companies to specific agricultural projects in Belgium. Companies can financially support sustainable farming activities and we make sure that the support reaches the farmers who need it, give agricultural advice and evaluate progress made. Through this financial contribution, companies take responsibility for the transition we face as a society.

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The 'carbon farmers' project puts this idea into practice: Supported by LIDL, Boerenbond, Boerennatuur Vlaanderen, Rikolto and the Soil Science Service of Belgium, 15 farmers are looking to develop a sustainable business model that makes it possible to embed carbon storage in the farmer's business operations and to give the farmer the right price for it. As a supermarket, BACA member LIDL is taking its responsibility to co-finance the project and thus contribute to making its value chain more sustainable.

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Bel Belgium, producer of dairy and fruit snacks and a member of the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action, recognizes the need and is getting to work with its suppliers itself. 'To support our partner farmers, we have set up carbon diagnostics with measurement tools such as the Cool Farm Tool,' explains CSR manager Alice Darchicourt-Patault. 'This approach is accompanied by a transformation plan tailored to each farm, including training. This allows the gradual deployment of various low-carbon initiatives, ranging from the use of local feeds to the testing of nutritional supplements to reduce cow methane production. All this is done hand in hand with committed farmers.'

emission reduction goals for the FLAG sector

While a lot may already be happening on the ground, broad support for the so-called FLAG (Forest, Land and Agriculture) sector is much needed. Deforestation must stop, and the companies that rely on products from agriculture and forestry such as food, feed and land use for livestock must be able to rely on scientifically substantiated methods that enable climate-neutral practices throughout the sector. Think of farmers, supermarkets, food companies, but also the packaging industry and paper and cardboard suppliers, to name but a few.

Against this backdrop, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has developed the world’s first Standard for companies in land-intensive sectors, to be launched on September 28th. The SBTi FLAG Guidance will offer a common, robust, science-based understanding of how much and how quickly a company needs to cut its land-related emissions and account for its greenhouse gas removals to limit global warming to 1.5°C, filling a 22% gap of global emissions that have not been specifically addressed before.

Are you employed in the FLAG sector, or does organization’s value chain rely upon food producers or land use organisations? Then you are warmly invited to join the launch event on September 28th.

Do you wish to know more about how BACA can help your organization to fulfil its climate ambitions?

Subscribe to our newsletter via our homepage or get in touch via baca@theshift.be.

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As part of the 'Young Challengers' program of non-profit organization The Shift, challenger of the first hour and co-founder of Mosquito in the Room, Amy Verbeke, wrote this article in collaboration with the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action.

Mosquito In The Room was founded by Ariane Louwaege and Amy Verbeke. They support companies and governments with making smarter food choices, healthier and more sustainable, contributing to the transition to a more sustainable food system. They set up transition projects with partners from the food chain, give lectures and workshops, and organize webinars & events in-house or for third parties.

Their philosophy: 'if you think you're too small to have impact, try sleeping with a mosquito in your room.' (quote Dalai Lama)