BASF has generated the first Verified Impact Units (VIUs) by reducing and removing on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
BASF’s global marketing senior vice president, Marko Grozdanovic, said: “This achievement showcases the potential of climate-smart agriculture and our Global Carbon Farming Program, emphasizing also the importance of connecting farmers with stakeholders across the value chain to develop scalable solutions.”
As part of BASF’s program, barley farmers in Ireland have implemented sustainable farming practices, such as cover crops. This has resulted in 2.3 tonnes CO₂e per hectare being saved, bringing barley production closer to net-zero and reducing GHG emissions by almost 90%.
This is a significant milestone in certifying the impact of on-farm interventions for companies, helping reduce scope 3 emissions and meet Science Based Targets initiatives (SBTi).
BASF’s senior vice president for EMEA and CIS, Gustavo Palerosi Caneiro, comments: “Farmers are rewarded for implementing sustainable practices that benefit the environment without compromising productivity. We are excited to continue to work with food value chain and farmers on our Carbon Farming Program and to provide them with innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture.”
Boortmalt’s agronomists work closely with barley farmers, who know the benefits of sustainable farming practices. However, transitioning from conventional methods can be challenging, farmers may need to invest in new materials like cover crop seeds. Boortmalt understands that value chain solutions reduce emission in barley cultivation, while also generating profit for growers to accelerate and support these changes.
Business director for Agricultural Solutions, Joel Johnson comments “agriculture faces a unique challenge as a contributor to GHG emissions but also one of the only industries able to sequester carbon. The project shows how GHG emissions reduction can be achieved through practical interventions delivered by farmers who can both contribute to and benefit from an environmentally conscious value chain.”
Marion Verles, CEO of SustainCERT, stated, “Our team validated and verified the outcomes of BASF’s Global Carbon Farming Program to ensure that the CO2e savings are of the highest level of trust and accountability.”
BASF plans to extend its Global Carbon Farming Program globally, partnering with multiple crops to benefit various value chains. These insights also support Boortmalt’s regenerative agriculture program, which aims to reduce barley emissions by 30.3% by 2030, aligning with its SBTi commitments.
