Carbon footprint – what is it?

The carbon footprint – what is it?

Learn more about the concepts behind our work.

A carbon footprint is a way of measuring how much greenhouse gas we release into the atmosphere through our activities, products or services. It is most often expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent, but it also covers other gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. All these gases contribute to climate change, and the carbon footprint shows how large our contribution to it is.

In agriculture, the carbon footprint refers to emissions linked to food production, such as:

• land use (e.g. deforestation, crop cultivation),
• livestock farming (methane emissions from cattle digestion),
• transport and processing of agricultural products,
• the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.

How does the carbon footprint affect the environment?

A high carbon footprint contributes to climate change. Greenhouse gases, whose concentration in the atmosphere is rising due to human activity, trap heat, causing temperatures on Earth to rise. The results include melting glaciers, rising sea levels, more frequent extreme storms, droughts and soil degradation.

These changes are felt particularly strongly in agriculture. They cause:

• poorer growing conditions, e.g. due to lack of water or excessively high temperatures,
• lower harvests and poorer crop quality,
• higher production costs, as farmers have to cope with the effects of climate change.

How does regenerative agriculture help reduce the carbon footprint?

Regenerative agriculture reduces the carbon footprint thanks to a few simple but effective practices:

• Carbon sequestration in soil: healthy soil rich in organic matter acts as a “store” that absorbs and holds carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Fewer harmful gases: better livestock management and less use of chemical fertilisers reduce emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, two greenhouse gases.
• Greater biodiversity: thanks to diverse crops and support for local ecosystems, plants cope better on their own, reducing the need for chemical inputs.

What are the benefits for farmers?

Regenerative agriculture benefits both the environment and farmers. Healthy soil, which thanks to regenerative practices stores water and nutrients better, makes it possible to cut spending on fertilisers and irrigation. As a result, farms cope more easily with the effects of climate change, such as droughts and downpours. In addition, using fewer chemicals, synthetic fertilisers and machinery lowers production costs. Importantly, farmers can also earn money from carbon credits, through which companies fund activities that help protect the environment, such as sequestering carbon in soil.

Why does it matter?

The carbon footprint is one of the key challenges of today’s world, and agriculture accounts for a significant share of it. The answer to this challenge, however, is regenerative agriculture – a system that not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also actively counters the effects of climate change. It also brings farmers tangible benefits – both financial and social.

By caring for healthy soil, using sustainable methods and protecting ecosystems, we are investing in a better future. Regenerative agriculture proves that caring for the environment and profitability can go hand in hand. Every step towards reducing the carbon footprint matters greatly for us and for future generations.

Let’s look after the planet and regenerate the land – it is a shared challenge and an opportunity for a sustainable future.