Agricarbon, the leading provider of direct measurements of soil carbon stock at scale, announced...
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) is a corporate climate action organisation that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis.
But did you know that soil carbon can play a significant role in tackling the climate crisis? By focusing on soil carbon sequestration, companies can progress toward meeting their near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) climate targets.
However, the deadline is tightening for 2030, as soil carbon takes time to build up.
Key Takeaways
- The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is the de facto authority for setting and verifying corporate decarbonisation targets.
- Soil carbon plays a significant role in helping companies achieve near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) emission reduction goals.
- Direct soil carbon measurement is necessary for accuracy and compliance with the GHG Protocol.
- SBTI’s FLAG Guidance includes specific targets for forestry, land use, and agriculture, emphasising the importance of soil organic carbon.
- Companies need to establish soil carbon baselines immediately to meet 2030 near-term goals.
The SBTi and Soil Carbon
What is the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)?
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provides a framework for companies to set and achieve science based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It focuses on near-term (2030) and long-term (2050) goals to ensure companies contribute to limiting temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Setting near-term and long-term targets
Near-term targets are specific, short-term goals organisations aim to achieve within a relatively brief timeframe, typically within 5-10 years. These targets are designed to prompt immediate action and often align with incremental improvements and milestones supporting broader long-term objectives. For example, near-term targets in a business context might include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a certain percentage or increasing the use of renewable energy sources to meet specific sustainability goals.
Long-term targets, however, are broader goals set to be achieved over a more extended period, often spanning several decades, such as aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These targets are essential for strategic planning and ensuring sustained progress towards significant, overarching aims. Long-term targets typically require comprehensive planning and substantial investment in innovation, infrastructure, and systemic changes to achieve enduring results.
Why Soil Carbon Matters
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) has the potential to play an important role in achieving climate targets. It acts as a significant natural carbon sink, helping to mitigate climate change by storing carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Storing significant amounts of carbon helps reduce a company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Incorporating soil carbon management into sustainability strategies can enhance a company’s efforts to achieve its science-based targets, especially for sectors reliant on land use, forestry, and agriculture (FLAG) emissions.
In addition to contributing to global efforts to combat climate change, healthy soil enhances ecosystems’ resilience, promotes biodiversity, and improves the nutritional quality of food.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol and SBTi Compliance
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is vital in directing companies on how to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG Protocol’s Land Sector and Removals Guidance (LSRG) is particularly relevant for companies aiming to meet SBTi standards. This guidance outlines the necessary steps for accurately measuring and reporting carbon sequestration in soils, emphasising the need for direct measurement.
Accurate measurement of soil carbon is essential for several reasons:
- Credibility: Companies must provide robust and verifiable data to demonstrate their progress toward meeting SBTi targets. The GHG Protocol stipulates that this credibility comes from direct soil sampling, which provides a reliable and precise measure of soil organic carbon (SOC).
- Compliance: The GHG Protocol is a guideline for companies to account for and report their greenhouse gas emissions and removals. Adhering to this ensures compliance with international standards and avoids potential legal and reputational risks.
- Verification: The GHG Protocol and SBTI frameworks require carbon sequestration claims be substantiated through rigorous direct measurement methods. This verification process is crucial for companies seeking to report their carbon footprint accurately.
Agricarbon’s Soil Carbon Measurement
Agricarbon specialises in direct soil carbon measurement, providing accurate data for comprehensive carbon accounting. Agricarbon’s methods are designed to align with the requirements set forth by both the GHG Protocol and the SBTi’s FLAG (Forest, Land, and Agriculture) guidance. Here’s how Agricarbon aligns with these protocols:
- High-Integrity Data: Agricarbon’s soil sampling and analysis techniques ensure that soil organic carbon level data is accurate and reliable. This high data integrity level is necessary to comply with GHG Protocol standards and achieve SBTi targets.
- Automated Processes: Using advanced automated soil carbon analysis, Agricarbon minimises errors and maximises the precision of measurements. This technological edge meets the standards of the GHG Protocol, providing clients with the robust data needed to validate their carbon sequestration claims.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Agricarbon’s services include detailed reporting that meets the documentation and transparency requirements of both the GHG Protocol and SBTi. This level of reporting is crucial for companies looking to prove their environmental impact with accurate data and make progress in achieving their sustainability goals.
- Strategic Planning: The data and insights provided by Agricarbon, in compliance with the GHG Protocol, help companies strategically plan their sustainability initiatives. Accurate soil carbon measurements allow for better forecasting and adjustment of practices to meet both near-term and long-term SBTi targets.
Steps to Manage and Monitor Soil Carbon
Establishing a Baseline
Companies need to begin with an accurate baseline measurement of their soil carbon. This involves taking soil samples across different fields and analysing them for SOC content and bulk density. Agricarbon offers automated soil sampling and analysis to streamline this process.
Implementing Sustainable Practices
Adopting sustainable farming practices is essential for increasing soil carbon levels. Practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and rotational grazing can significantly enhance soil health and carbon storage.
Monitoring and Re-measuring
Regular monitoring and re-measuring are vital to track progress and make necessary adjustments. The recommended interval for re-measurement is typically every three to five years, allowing for accurate tracking of carbon sequestration over time.
The Urgency of Establishing Baselines
Soil carbon sequestration is a process that typically takes three to five years to show measurable changes. By establishing a baseline now, companies can ensure they have sufficient time to remeasure and demonstrate progress before 2030 – when many companies will need to have achieved their near-term Science Based Targets.
Conclusion
Incorporating soil carbon measurement into corporate sustainability strategies is crucial for meeting SBTi targets. Immediate action to establish baselines and adopt sustainable practices will ensure companies can achieve their near-term and long-term targets, contributing to global climate mitigation efforts.
Download Agricarbon’s Definitive Guide Comparing Key Soil Carbon Requirements for MRV Protocols
FAQs: SBTi and Soil Carbon
Q1: What is the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)?
The SBTi is a corporate climate action organisation that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis. The targets validated by the SBTi are aligned with the latest climate science to limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Q2: What are near-term and long-term targets validated by the SBTI?
Near-term targets require immediate actions to halve emissions by 2030, compared to a company’s baseline year. Long-term targets require actions to reduce emissions by 90% by no later than 2050, compared to a company’s baseline year. The remaining 10% of emissions must be addressed using carbon removal.
Q3: What is required to comply with the SBTi’s soil carbon guidelines?
Compliance with the SBTi’s soil carbon guidelines involves directly measuring soil carbon. This includes establishing a baseline measurement, regular monitoring, and re-measuring to track progress.
Q4: How does direct soil carbon measurement work?
Direct soil carbon measurement involves collecting and analysing soil samples for soil organic carbon (SOC) content and bulk density. This process provides accurate data for carbon accounting and compliance with various protocols.
Q5: Why is there an urgency to establish soil carbon baselines now?
With only five and a half years until the SBTi’s 2030 near-term goals deadline, companies must act quickly to establish soil carbon baselines. Without a baseline, measuring progress and meeting emission reduction targets is impossible.
Q6: What are the consequences of not meeting the SBTi’s 2030 targets?
Failure to meet the SBTi’s 2030 targets can result in reputational damage. It also undermines global efforts to combat climate change.
Q7: How can companies start measuring their soil carbon levels?
Companies can partner with organisations like Agricarbon, which specialises in direct soil carbon measurement. Agricarbon offers automated soil sampling and analysis, ensuring accurate and reliable data for carbon accounting.
Read More
