USA
June 24, 2015

The following is a statement from Robert Parkhurst, Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Markets Director, Environmental Defense Fund:

“This is a huge milestone for agriculture, a win for farmers and the environment. Rice growers can now generate additional sources of revenue without sacrificing yields, and the conservation measures they implement will reduce methane emissions and protect important wildlife habitat.

The even bigger news is that rice is a gateway protocol. The doors are now open for development of other agricultural standards that will pay farmers for reducing emissions.

With this precedent, the ARB can proceed with a nutrient management protocol to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer. This effort would apply to more than 400 million acres of cropland across the U.S. and contribute to millions of tons of greenhouse gas reductions while protecting or even increasing farmers’ yields.”

It’s official! Rice farmers now eligible for carbon offset payments