Measuring Externalities in Canadian Agriculture: Understanding the Impact of Agricultural Production on the Environment
In light of recent discussion and studies around agriculture’s role in climate change, the environment and natural capital, CAPI commissioned a study by a team of academics from the University of Saskatchewan and Guelph to develop a methodology and estimates of the impact agriculture is having on air and water quality, soil health, climate change and wildlife habitat and biodiversity, referred to as externalities.
This report, in a preliminary manner, measures both positive and negative externalities resulting from Canadian agricultural production by making use of data, information and a methodology from various Canadian and international studies on agriculture’s impact on the environment. By placing a dollar value on agricultural externalities like GHG emissions, soil erosion, water and air pollution, biodiversity and landscape esthetics, the report details how negative externalities have declined significantly since 1981.