New Environmental Land Management Scheme

As we move towards the end of the Single Farm Payment and the introduction of the Environmental Land Management Scheme the possibilities for the development of a soil carbon market is attracting attention. Standardisation in the measurement of volumes and permanence of carbon sequestered is badly needed but it is reported that some methods suggest 2 to 3 tonnes of CO2 can be sequestered by soil per hectare per annum and others more than 5 tonnes. The sales price elsewhere in the world for sequestered carbon is reported to be at various levels including £10 and £25-£30 per tonne. Currently a UK Farm Soil Carbon Code is being developed through the Sustainable Soils Alliance which will provide a set of formal protocols to allow the quantification and verification of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and/or soil carbon capture resulting from the adoption of regenerative farming practises.

Already carbon reduction plans are a requirement for businesses wanting to bid for government contracts. The pressure on industry to attain Net Zero status may help drive a lucrative market in soil carbon units and provide a future income stream for farmers.

For further details click here: https://sustainablesoils.org/soil-carbon-code