By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) has unveiled a new approach that enhances the credibility of agricultural carbon markets, addressing the critical issue of setting an accurate baseline for measuring climate benefits.
Led by agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso, this research focuses on how to measure the environmental impact of regenerative farming practices more accurately.
Traditional carbon market systems often use fixed baselines, which fail to account for the changes in soil carbon and emissions under different farming practices.
This can result in inaccurate carbon credit calculations and undermine market trust. “The choice of baseline can dramatically influence carbon credit generation,” said Basso. “If the model is inaccurate, too many or too few credits may be issued, calling market legitimacy into question.”
The MSU team developed a dynamic baseline approach that captures both soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions.
Their research, covering 46 million hectares across 12 Midwestern U.S. states, offers a scalable framework that can be applied to large areas, ensuring both credibility and operational simplicity for carbon markets.
Regenerative agriculture practices, including cover cropping, reduced tillage, and agroforestry, play a key role in building soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon markets can provide a financial incentive for farmers to adopt these practices, but their success depends on reliable, science-based measurement systems.
The MSU team used a multi-model ensemble (MME) approach, integrating eight validated crop and biogeochemical models to reduce uncertainties in soil carbon predictions. This approach, tested across 40,000 locations, offers greater accuracy, scaling from individual fields to entire regions.
“This is a game changer for carbon markets,” Basso noted. The MME framework not only improves accuracy but also simplifies participation for farmers by offering practice-based dynamic baselines, reducing the need for extensive data collection.
The study's comprehensive approach, which includes both SOC sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions, ensures that carbon credits reflect true climate mitigation. This method is a critical step in improving the integrity of agricultural carbon markets.
The MSU research team found that combining no-till and cover cropping practices could mitigate an average of 1.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent per hectare annually. This could potentially abate 16.4 teragrams of carbon dioxide-equivalent across the study area.
This groundbreaking research was supported by multiple organizations, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, among others.
Some Points to Remember:
- MSU developed a dynamic baseline approach for agricultural carbon markets.
- The research spans 46 million hectares and includes 12 Midwestern U.S. states.
- The multi-model ensemble approach improves accuracy in carbon credit calculations.
- The study evaluates both soil carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions.
- Regenerative agriculture practices can help mitigate climate change and provide financial incentives for farmers.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education