Ag as the Solution The Six Pillars of Climate-Agriculture Conversation
The newsletter for professionals cautiously approaching the discussion about climate, but pretty sure they should.
Issue Number : 14
We are just five days away from the second annual Indiana Climate Summit, titled the 'Ag as the Solution’ Summit. While we are hosting in Indiana this event has taken on a Midwest flair with last year’s attendees and speakers hailing from 10 states and Canada. I’m getting excited, giddy almost, the way I always do when a live event is close. It is just so important that we gather-to talk, to experience, to learn. This year, we’ve been working on putting more teeth into ‘what is IN-CLIMATE’, the group that I run made up of agribusiness, energy, and farming professionals seeking a practical, productive dialog on climate. While we are not a prescriptive group; we don’t tell our members how to operate or require that they pass a certain certification, we realized that we do need standards and some frameworks for the work we do and the education we provide. Enter the Six Pillars of Agriculture-Climate Conversations.
Carbon Markets and Carbon Sequestration
Today’s emerging voluntary carbon markets are the entry point for many when it comes to sustainability. But sequestering carbon with plants is only part of the solution. We are also hearing a lot about carbon capture and storage and how those projects may affect land owners and rural areas.
Sustainability and Conservation
Sustainability and conservation practices for agriculture are nearly as old as time and the original movement to things like no-till and cover crops is over 40 years old. Yet, these efforts are hitting an incredible stride and coming more into the main stream.
Renewable Energy and Energy Transition
Farmers are doing more with renewables now than ever before whether putting in an on-farm solar installation for energy savings or by participating in large-scale community projects. Yet, no topic is more divisive than large scale solar and wind. Some want it in rural areas and some ardently oppose. The dialog is important.
Advanced Biofuels and Renewable Fuels
The first renewable fuels like biodiesel and ethanol are now mature technologies that are widely adopted yet still have incredible merit. Today, however, massive growth is expected in advanced bio technologies from hydrogen, additional renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and more. Agricultural products still remain a viable feedstock.
Green Finance and Climate-Smart Funding
Financing for projects whether it comes from grants or private sources is a factor in any new technology taking flight. Yet, navigating these sources and the implications of using them takes time and consideration.
Consumer Pressures and Public Perception
Changing cultural norms are partly the drivers for the incredible movement in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) programing and investing. But, does the general public really care if the beef they buy is carbon neutral or their corn chips are zero-emission? The answers might surprise you. We’re working to answer these questions through survey work and involving down stream participants in the conversation.