As climate change accelerates, understanding the unique complexities of Canadian agriculture becomes increasingly important. This report builds upon two recent studies, one published by CAPI and the other by the Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking, delving deeper into these complexities within the context of achieving net-zero emissions. It emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of net-zero, moving beyond the narrow focus on carbon emissions to consider the full spectrum of agricultural complexities. These include the economic, biological, and logistical challenges unique to the sector, which often go underdiscussed in mainstream net-zero strategies.

By exploring these complexities, the report highlights the value of evolving the current dialogue towards a more comprehensive approach that recognizes the diverse realities of agriculture. This is important for creating adaptable, practical policies that are not only effective in reducing emissions but also feasible across Canada’s diverse agricultural environments.

The aim is to inform policy development to fully consider all aspects of agriculture and address the sector’s complex challenges, ensuring that strategies are both realistic and grounded in the operational realities faced by farmers. This approach helps ensure that efforts to achieve net-zero emissions are thorough, equitable, and aligned with broader Canadian agricultural policy objectives.

Key Takeaways

• Current discussions and strategies around achieving net-zero in agriculture are focused on carbon emissions, often neglecting other crucial aspects. It is important to expand net-zero discussions to encompass the full spectrum of agricultural complexities, including economic, biological, and location-specific challenges, to ensure a comprehensive approach.
• Current on-farm GHG measurement tools often rely on generalized models that lack accuracy and regional specificity. It is recommended to develop and implement GHG measurements tools that are fit-for-purpose, accurately reflecting the specific conditions and needs of Canadian farmers.
• There is a gap in comprehensive aggregate GHG intensity data for the post-farm gate sector. Improving GHG intensity data collection and analysis for post-farm gate operations and developing consistent standards for measurement is crucial to support effective monitoring and strategy development for reducing emissions throughout the food value chain.
• Many net-zero strategies do not align well with the economic pressures and practical realities that individual farmers face daily. It is crucial to align net-zero strategies with the actual operational and economic realities of farmers, which will help promote sustainable practices and long-term sustainability outcomes and economic viability.
• Agricultural policies often struggle to adapt to the variable and dynamic conditions that characterize the farming sector. Implementing adaptive management strategies within policy frameworks is needed to better accommodate changing agricultural conditions and integrate new data and information on outcomes, enhancing both the long-term relevance and impact of net-zero strategies.

This report was funded in part by Scotiabank’s Net-Zero Research Fund and by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriAssurance Program.

 

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