Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Policy Workshop on International Carbon Certification Schemes

26 September 2024. Policy Workshop on International Carbon Certification Schemes


What proposals do other regions or countries have in terms of public and private schemes to promote the soil organic carbon (SOC) storage? How can they contribute to the ongoing discussions on the Carbon Removals Certification Framework (CRCF) from the European Commission?

This workshop ( see the Agenda) gave an insight into what is happening in the United States and Australia, as well as an overview of the context in the Pacific region and Europe.

Organised by the ORCaSa project in the framework of the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium (IRC), this event was an opportunity for experts and policymakers to meet, exchange ideas, and make progress in the field of soil carbon policy.

Moreover, the results of this workshop will be used to draw up a policy brief. Indeed, to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate neutrality, to support the EU Green Deal and the objectives of the EU Soil Mission, Europe must coordinate its research and innovation efforts on soil carbon with international stakeholders and policymakers.
  • ORCaSa & the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium (IRC), an overview. Suzanne Reynders, INRAE, Coordinator 
  • European context: Certification Framework for Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming. Christian Holtzleitner, Head of Unit for Land Economy and Carbon Removals, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission or other DG representative. 
  • Private schemes in USA. An overview of the agricultural carbon market in the USA: methods, regulations, and key players. Bruno Basso, Michigan State University, USA. • Public schemes in the USA. Amy Swan, Colorado State University, USA
  • National policy in Australia. How is it working for the last 10 years? How it is linked to research? Senani Karunaratne (Video @ 58:22:00), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
  • Pacific region context. Ben Mac Donald, (Video @ 1:18:00) Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,
    Australia
  • Soil Mission Board. EU Soil Mission for healthy soils promoting soil carbon stocks. Liisa Pietola, Expert board member of the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Finland.
Discussion & debate Moderated by Jean-François Soussana, Vice-President International, INRAE & Edouard Lanckriet, Strategy Director and carbon farming expert, Agrosolutions.




Background:


Launched in September 2022, ORCaSa is a Horizon Europe initiative that aims to bring together international stakeholders working on techniques for capturing and storing carbon in the soil. The project seeks to address the issue of increasing carbon emissions from human activities, which have led to a disruption in the balance of organic carbon absorbed and stored in the soil to support plant growth.

At the forefront of the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium (IRC) that will emerge from the ORCaSa project, stands the firm belief that a Soil Deal for Europe is needed if we want to meet our climate goals – healthy soils, healthy planet.

Related:


Shared resource:

Paul Luu, with Marie-Christine Bidault Farmers have the Earth in Their Hands

How can we feed 10 billion people tomorrow? Can we avoid deforestation, the intensive use
of fertilisers and synthetic products, which aggravate climate change and the erosion of biodiversity? Should the debate be limited to a strict opposition between organic and conventional agriculture ? Can a better distribution of resources and changes in diet solve everything?

There is no single answer to all these questions, but agriculture has a magical side. It is not only part of the problem, it is also part of the solution, thanks to the superpowers of the soil. By being alive, preserved and regenerated, the soil can feed us, ensure the diversity of life on Earth and store carbon to help offset our greenhouse gas emissions.

Through a few scientific benchmarks, a brief historical review and the exploration of virtuous practices that can contribute to the life of the soil, this book opens up a bright future. Farmers have the Earth in their hands, but it is up to all of us to support them.

No comments:

Post a Comment