Recent programs enabling farmers and organizations to earn carbon credits in 2024

Executive Summary

• In 2024, a series of innovative programs have been launched to empower farmers and organizations to earn carbon credits.
• These initiatives focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing additional income streams for farmers.
• By participating in these programs, farmers not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also benefit economically through the sale of carbon credits.
• Key programs include the Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP), the Acorn initiative, and efforts by organizations like Farm Africa and Now Partners Foundation.

Introduction and Background

• The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation, and recent years have seen a significant increase in initiatives aimed at enabling farmers and organizations to earn carbon credits.
• These programs recognize the potential of sustainable agricultural practices to capture carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also providing economic benefits to farmers.
• Carbon credits are part of a market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, where one credit represents the right to emit one metric ton of CO2 or its equivalent.
• Farmers can earn these credits by implementing sustainable practices that enhance soil organic carbon, reduce emissions, or both. These credits are then sold to buyers, including businesses and individuals, who seek to offset their emissions.
• These practices not only retain carbon but also improve soil health and biodiversity.

Data and Analysis

Key Programs and Initiatives:

1. Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP):
   • Objective: This project involves 60,000 farmers on 45,000 hectares, supporting sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) practices that enhance soil fertility and biodiversity
   • Beneficiaries: Smallholder farmers in western Kenya.
   • Impact: Improves farm productivity, enhances food security, and provides additional income through carbon credits.
2. Acorn Initiative
   • Objective: Enables smallholder farmers in Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties to earn income by planting trees and selling carbon credits
   • Beneficiaries: Over 4,000 farmers.
   • Impact: Supports sustainable land management, improves soil health, and boosts food security.
3. Now Partners Foundation
   • Objective: Assists farmers in Murang'a County in adopting natural farming methodologies to generate carbon credits
   • Beneficiaries: Farmers practicing agro-ecology.
   • Impact: Enhances farm productivity, reduces costs by avoiding chemical fertilizers, and provides additional income through carbon credits.
4. Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024
   • Objective: Provides a legal framework for carbon projects in Kenya, ensuring environmental integrity and supporting the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement
   • Beneficiaries: Participants in voluntary and compliance carbon markets.
   • Impact: Encourages greenhouse gas emissions reduction and supports sustainable development.

Key Beneficiaries:

• Farmers: Across various regions, including the United States, Australia, Ghana, and other developing countries.
• Rural Communities: Benefiting from environmental conservation and economic opportunities.
• Environmental Conservation: Initiatives focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable land use practices.

Key Findings

1. USDA's Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program
   • Objective: This program, authorized under the Growing Climate Solutions Act, aims to facilitate farmer participation in voluntary carbon markets by providing technical assistance and verification services.
   • Beneficiaries: Farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in the United States.
   • Impact: Offers a new income stream through carbon credit sales while supporting climate change mitigation efforts
2. Carbon Farming Outreach Program
   • Objective: Designed to help farmers understand their options and make informed decisions about carbon farming.
   • Beneficiaries: Australian farmers.
   • Impact: Provides knowledge and tools to increase engagement in carbon farming, helping farmers navigate environmental benefits and economic opportunities
3. Zero Net Emissions for Agriculture CRC
   • Objective: Focuses on low-emissions plant solutions, methane-free livestock, and whole farm systems analysis.
   • Beneficiaries: Australian farming sector.
   • Impact: Supports decarbonization efforts in agriculture with significant funding and partnerships
4. Carbon Credits for Farmers
   • Objective: Encourages farmers to adopt sustainable practices that capture carbon, offering a revenue stream through carbon credit sales.
   • Beneficiaries: Farmers worldwide.
   • Impact: Promotes sustainable agriculture while providing financial benefits to farmers
5. TIST (The International Small Group Tree Planting Program) Program
   • Objective: Involves farmers in reforestation efforts, providing carbon credits and additional income.
   • Beneficiaries: Smallholder farmers in developing countries.
   • Impact: Enhances environmental sustainability and supports local communities through carbon credit sales
6. World Bank Grant for Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program
   • Objective: Aims to increase community access to funds earned from carbon credits.
   • Beneficiaries: Ghanaian farmers and communities.
   • Impact: Enhances social inclusion and equitable access to climate action benefits

Recommendations

1. Adoption of Sustainable Practices
   • Encourage farmers to adopt regenerative practices such as reduced tillage and cover cropping, which enhance soil organic carbon retention and reduce emissions.
   • Support smallholder farmers in planting trees and selling carbon credits, as seen in the Acorn Initiative in Kenya, to improve soil health and biodiversity.
2. Market Engagement
   • Develop a platform or partnership to facilitate the sale of carbon credits generated by farmers, connecting them with buyers seeking to offset emissions.
   • Provide resources and training to farmers on how to navigate carbon markets effectively, ensuring they can maximize their earnings from carbon credits.
3. Community and Environmental Impact
   • Ensure that programs benefit not only farmers but also rural communities by promoting environmental conservation and economic opportunities.
   • Focus on initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable land use practices, contributing to broader environmental goals.
4. Innovation and Technology
   • Leverage technologies like remote sensing and data analytics to monitor and verify carbon capturing efforts, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in carbon credit generation.
   • Support research and development of new sustainable agricultural practices that can be integrated into existing programs.

References

• Kenyans Earn First Ever Carbon Credits From Sustainable Farming
• Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP)
• Farm Africa
• Kenya publishes Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations, 2024
• Kenya News Agency
• The Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations 2024
• A Carbon Market Guidebook for Kenyan Enterprises
• Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project Summaries
• Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI): Roadmap Report
• Connecting Sustainability and Profitability