Climate farmers
Revolutionising agriculture across Europe, Climate Farmers are building a network of farms transitioning from intensive to regenerative farming systems inspired by nature. Regenerative agriculture can boost crop yields, improve biodiversity, water retention and the drawdown of carbon into the soil. This ultimately increases sustainable finance for farmers.
Intervention
Regenerative farming
Location
Across europe
Developer
Climate Farmers
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Methodology
AR-AMS0001Project information
Regenerative Farming
Established in 2020, Climate Farmers emerged with a simple yet bold idea: To build the infrastructure to scale regenerative agriculture in Europe. The unparalleled potential of regenerative farming to store carbon in the ground and restore healthy ecosystems, all while improving the livelihood of farmers must be brought to its full potential.
Climate Farmers are developing a three-pronged approach to facilitate the transition through (1) gathering all available information (2) measuring regenerative agriculture and (3) developing financial instruments.
Sustainable Goals
Project Benefits
Why this project?
Despite the significant contribution by the agriculture sector on the overall carbon footprint and the piling evidence from the benefits of regenerative agriculture, barely 2% of the farming in Europe is currently applying regenerative farming in their lands. Climate Farmers are changing the narrative by building a community of concerned farmers keen to work towards food security and sustainable agriculture.
Climate Farmers are promoting information sharing through their Knowledge Hub, while through their Academy program, they provide highly technical training and support systems for farmers keen on transitioning to regenerative farming. We are most excited by Climate Farmers work making the results of regenerative agriculture measurable and accessible, with the potential to implement innovative monitoring through a combination of soil testing and remote sensing
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Great for Earth
Agriculture forms the backbone of any economy; be it the farming-dependant nation or a fast-paced industrialist one. Globally, agriculture takes up over 1/3 of the total land on this planet. With increasing food pressures and intensification of farming practices, emissions from agriculture contribute to a whopping 33.2% of global emissions. Is there a scenario where these emissions could be avoided?
Regenerative agriculture brings the solution. This mode of farming recognises the negative impact of artificial fertilisers, pesticide and herbicides on the soil microbiome. Moreover, intensive tilling of lands to prepare them for crops releases the previously captured soil carbon from the soil, leading to soil erosion and further negative impacts on the health of the microbiome. By avoiding the use of chemicals and intensive tilling practices, regenerative agriculture can increase the vitality and longevity of the soil by improving the microbiome, capturing carbon and regrowing and maintaining a healthy topsoil, which is key for profitable yield and sustainable lands. Through this, environmental sustainability and improved human wellbeing can be achieved.
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Positive for People
The loss of the world’s fertile soil and biodiversity, along with the loss of indigenous seeds and knowledge is a huge threat for human food security. According to reports, at current rates of intensive farming, the soil could lose its nutritive potential within the next 50 years, which will impact the nutritional value of our crops. Without protecting and regenerating our topsoil, feeding the world and keeping the global temperature below 2 degrees celsius will thus be impossible.
Climate Farmers understand that the revolution in regenerative agriculture will only be possible through collaboration and communication of knowledge and tools. To that end, they have been openly sharing their experiences, knowledge and findings on regenerative agriculture through the Climate Famers Academy, while providing requisite training and support systems for eager farmers through their Pioneer Program.