Discussions about net-zero targets are now present in every mode of communication in Canada – in advertisements, on social media, in conference rooms and boardrooms, and in traditional media. The objectives are set; However, for farmers who naturally – and by necessity – adopt sustainability-focused practices, the path to achieving these goals can look a little like walking through a field full of mud after a late-season rain, at harvest time. You have to get in, but the way out is unclear.
That’s why a new Canadian alliance has set the goal of finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout Canada’s agricultural supply chain, starting with agricultural fields. The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CHANGE), founded in October 2023, includes companies from across the agricultural sector. The group has set a goal of reducing emissions in the Canadian agricultural sector by 50 megatonnes by 2030 and 150 megatonnes by 2050.
Mohamad Yaghi knows this is an ambitious goal, which is why he is enthusiastic about the prospect of paying Canadian farmers for practicing climate-adapted agriculture. Mr. Yaghi is the Senior Manager, Agriculture and Climate Policy, RBC. He serves on the RBC Climate Action Institute and collaborates with RBC Senior Vice President John Stackhouse, who is on the CANZA Administrative Committee.
“Canada has 155 million acres of agricultural land; If we find ways to use them effectively as carbon sinks, we could store 35 to 38 megatonnes of carbon there or about 25% of projected emissions for 2050, Yaghi said. This is a wonderful possibility, but we must first find ways to pay producers. »
That’s where CANZA comes in. The new alliance includes five main work plans – areas that focus on actionable activities to reduce emissions. The first of these work plans is to define the ways in which farmers can store carbon in the soil, to quantify this task and to establish the appropriate remuneration.
Filling carbon sinks for a fee
“What we currently lack in Canada is a precise and standardized way to accurately measure and monitor the amount of carbon that can be sequestered in the soil, as well as the means to remunerate producers for the provision of this “public service”” added Mr. Yaghi.
CANZA launched its first carbon sequestration pilot project with Kristjan Hebert of Hebert Grain Ventures in Saskatchewan to focus on finding simple and accurate ways to measure and monitor soil carbon. Once there is an accepted way to measure it, the value of carbon as a soil asset can take shape.
“Mr. Hebert was instrumental in this first project, providing the time and space needed to use soil carbon technology as we figure out how best to incentivize farmers to get paid and recognized for sequestering carbon in their agricultural fields, Yaghi added.
What Canada needs, according to Mr. Yaghi, are clear rules to give impetus to the carbon credit market. “Canada is certainly a leader in sustainable agricultural practices, but it could lose that position if we don’t act now and find a way to build a transparent and voluntary carbon market. »
Mr. Yaghi estimates that in this regard, Canada is about 10 years behind the United States, since this country already has a better defined system of monitoring, measurement and reporting in the agricultural sector. carbon. “The United States is investing in climate-responsive projects that farmers can participate in – no-till, cover cropping and other projects focused on sustainable practices that reduce GHG emissions and store carbon in the soil, Yaghi says. These practices are not new to Canadian farmers, but we simply do not have a way to compensate those who adopt them.
Who pays for sustainable agriculture?
In a context of high inflation that presents difficulties for many consumers due to rising food prices, they are not expected to pay for incentives to store carbon on agricultural land . “CANZA engaged supply chain participants because we expect stakeholders to increase their contributions to achieving carbon neutrality to help producers take part in this system,” said Mr. Yaghi . This is what CANZA is trying to establish and, although much remains to be accomplished, it is very exciting to participate in the search for a new way to recognize the crucial role that farmers play in achieving carbon neutrality. We want to offer solutions – there will be more than one – so that farmers are remunerated for the public service they provide by participating in achieving carbon neutrality. »
Additionally, climate-smart practices that increase the amount of carbon stored increase production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase yields for farmers. In the short term, farmers may need support with initial costs and yield risk as they change their farming practices.
For RBC, the importance of being part of the players in the sustainable agriculture and carbon neutrality sector is first and foremost a question of innovation. “An innovation-driven agriculture sector keeps innovation thriving in Canada – and climate-adapted agriculture offers the greatest economic and environmental opportunities for farmers. innovation for generations,” adds Mr. Yaghi.
Additionally, CANZA has established biodigesters as a second area it wants to focus on. Through a national network of biodigesters, it plans to put in place a plan that will make it easier for producers to collaborate on the use of this technology in places in Canada where emissions are high. Biodigesters represent a big investment; therefore CANZA is looking for ways to offer commercial incentives that will support the formation of a network of agricultural biodigesters.
Yaghi expects CANZA’s soil carbon sequestration and biodigester projects to produce results over the next two to five years. “We really want to ensure the success of these first two projects in order to give us momentum, to make a positive contribution and to show stakeholders in the agricultural sector the seriousness of our approach aimed at offering innovations, tools and concrete incentives to support practices focused on achieving carbon neutrality. »
CANZA is an initiative of the Smart Prosperity Institute and The Natural Step, and includes RBC, Nutrien, Loblaw Companies Limited, McCain, Maple Leaf, Arrell Food Institute and BCG among its partners. For more information on this subject, please visit the website canza.ca.
This article is intended to provide general information only and is not intended to provide legal, financial or other professional advice. Please consult a professional advisor regarding your particular situation. The information presented is believed to be factual and up to date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be considered an exhaustive analysis of the subjects discussed. The opinions expressed reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Royal Bank of Canada and its entities do not promote, either explicitly or implicitly, the advice, opinions, information, products or services of third parties.
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2023-11-27 20:18:17
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