Ever since the publication of IPCC’s 2018 special report on Global Warming of 1.5 ºC , there should be little doubt that achieving a net-zero global economy by 2030 is essential to limit global warming to the 1.5 or 2 ºC targets of the Paris Accord. This requires immediate, substantial emission reductions and commitments by everyone — individuals, companies, organisations, … Read More
CFA member Soil Capital launches European carbon payment programme with CFT
Soil Capital, a firm of independent agronomists and financial professionals, has launched the first European carbon remuneration programme, for farmers by farmers. The programme, called Soil Capital Carbon, uses the Cool Farm Tool (CFT) as its greenhouse gas (GHG) balance quantification tool and is being rolled out first with arable farmers in France and Belgium. Two other CFA members have … Read More
How to use the Cool Farm Tool to track no-till success
The change of conventional agricultural production systems to a more regenerative approach is known to benefit the soil and the environment, and is gaining increasing interest from growers around the globe. Such regenerative practices, however, require determination and commitment. Jake Freestone, farm manager of the Cotswold farm in Overbury (UK), has shown both over the past decade when he started … Read More
How do three main farm carbon calculators compare?
Mike Abram from Farmers Weekly presents an insightful review of three popular whole-farm calculators. A few farmers tested the overall scope and structure of the calculators, all of which cover arable and livestock enterprises and are “self-service” options that can be used without input from a farm adviser. The tools assessed where: Farm Carbon Toolkit Agrecalc Cool Farm Tool The … Read More
Healthy soils are paramount in the fight against climate change
The paramount importance of healthy soils as a means to fight climate change is a key message in the UN landmark report published by Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in 2019. The report was a leading force in highlighting nature’s dangerous decline and acceleration rates of extinction. However, despite its clear message that echoes research available … Read More
CFA participates in newly established ‘South Asian Nitrogen Hub’
The CFA is pleased to announce its participation in the new South Asian Nitrogen Hub. The UK Government announced in January its commitment to jointly fund this major international research programme to tackle the challenge that nitrogen pollution poses for the environment, food security, human health and the economy in South Asia. The South Asian Nitrogen Hub, a partnership led … Read More
Announcing Our New General Manager
The Cool Farm Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Profit as the General Manager of the Alliance, with effect from 8th October. Richard comes from PepsiCo where he has worked for sixteen years in a variety of roles in operations and sustainability strategy. With experience in renewable energy, carbon accounting, compliance and policy, as well as Life Cycle Assessment, he has been … Read More
CFT 0.2 launched!
The Cool Farm Alliance is delighted to announce the live release of the updated Cool Farm Tool, CFT 0.2. The ‘look and feel’ of the user interface has been overhauled, with a fresh modern design and the creation of more space for entering data and reviewing results. Key new features include: Dedicated beef module, building on the success of recent … Read More
A “Foodprints” Application of the Cool Farm Tool: Can Diets in India Be Healthy and Environmentally Friendly?
By Alan Dangour, MSc PhD RNutr, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Francesca Harris, MSc, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Benjamin Kayatz, MSc, University of Aberdeen; and Jon Hiller, PhD, University of Edinburgh With a population of 1.2 billion people and rapidly changing dietary habits, the health and environmental impacts of diets in India is a major … Read More
Global climate action plan highlights key role of food and agriculture
By Cool Farm Alliance member and Chief Technical Advisor for Anthesis, Craig Simmons Project Drawdown, a new book containing research assembled and edited by sustainability guru Paul Hawken, highlights the importance of food and agriculture in mitigating global carbon emissions. Billed as the ‘most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming’, Drawdown maps, measures, models and describes in detail … Read More