USDA releases report on how to quantify ag, forestry greenhouse gas emissions
July 31, 2014 | 11:00 AM
The Agriculture Department today released a report on greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and forestry that USDA officials say can help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners figure out how to participate in carbon markets, but is more likely to be used by government officials and consultants to try to help farmers.
The 606-page report compiles the scientific methods for quantifying the changes in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage from land management and conservation activities, and discusses the complications in using each approach.
“The report, titled Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory, will help USDA evaluate current and future greenhouse gas conservation programs, as well as develop new tools and update existing ones to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners participate in emerging carbon markets,” USDA said in a news release.
The 2008 farm bill called for a report on quantifying environmental services, but it did not specify a timeline. It took this long for USDA to finish the report because it was written by 38 experts and then reviewed by other scientists, Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie said.
The report explains how important it is for farmers to increase carbon storage and reduce methane and nitrous oxide and also help forest landowners manage carbon.
Although carbon markets remain voluntary, the report will teach farmers how to quantify carbon emissions to play a role in those markets, said William Hohenstein, director of the USDA Climate Change Program Office.
The information can also be integrated into a USDA online system called COMET-Farm that shows farmers and ranchers the importance of addressing climate change.
The officials acknowledged that while most people will find the analysis too technical, it would be of use to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel in their programs to help farmers, and also useful to crop consultants.
▪ USDA Office of the Chief Economist — Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory
▪ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Colorado State — COMET-Farm Farm and Ranch Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Accounting System
▪ — USDA Blog — COMET-Farm: Conservation Calculation
The 606-page report compiles the scientific methods for quantifying the changes in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage from land management and conservation activities, and discusses the complications in using each approach.
“The report, titled Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory, will help USDA evaluate current and future greenhouse gas conservation programs, as well as develop new tools and update existing ones to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners participate in emerging carbon markets,” USDA said in a news release.
The 2008 farm bill called for a report on quantifying environmental services, but it did not specify a timeline. It took this long for USDA to finish the report because it was written by 38 experts and then reviewed by other scientists, Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie said.
The report explains how important it is for farmers to increase carbon storage and reduce methane and nitrous oxide and also help forest landowners manage carbon.
Although carbon markets remain voluntary, the report will teach farmers how to quantify carbon emissions to play a role in those markets, said William Hohenstein, director of the USDA Climate Change Program Office.
The information can also be integrated into a USDA online system called COMET-Farm that shows farmers and ranchers the importance of addressing climate change.
The officials acknowledged that while most people will find the analysis too technical, it would be of use to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel in their programs to help farmers, and also useful to crop consultants.
▪ USDA Office of the Chief Economist — Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory
▪ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Colorado State — COMET-Farm Farm and Ranch Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Accounting System
▪ — USDA Blog — COMET-Farm: Conservation Calculation
