Carbon Farming

Carbon Farming is an approach of tackling climate change where carbon is removed from the atmosphere and deposited into a carbon sink such as soil.

It involves implementing regenerative agricultural techniques that enhance soil health, increase organic carbon content, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural activities.

Whilst this process occurs naturally, there are a variety of techniques to manage farmland and ensure optimised carbon uptake in the soil.

Carbon Farming can be split into 5 main practices

  • To sustain and boost Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels in mineral soils,a positive balance of carbon inputs and carbon losses from soils is required. It is relevant to any farming system, and includes a wide range of carbon farming practices, including cover cropping and improved crop rotations.

  • Livestock and manure management refers to any actions taken by livestock farmers to reduce emissions from their farming operation.

    For example implementing rotational grazing practices instead of allowing livestock to continuously graze on a single pasture. This rotation allows for periods of rest and regrowth for the vegetation.

  • As drained peatland emmit around a quarter of of the annual agricultural emissions,Carbon Farming in the peatlands aims to reduce drained peatland. Reducing peatland carbon emmissions consists mrimarily of:

    • Keeping existing peatlands wet

    • Rewetting drained peatlands

    • Productive use of wetlands.

  • Agroforestry integrates trees or shrubs with crops and/or livestock on the same piece of land.

  • Nutrient management aims to avoid N2O emissions from fertilisers and manure management.

Carbon Sequestration

Carbon farming and carbon sequestration are both agricultural techniques aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon farming refers to agricultural practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It aims to create a net loss of carbon from the atmosphere by increasing the rate at which carbon is sequestered. This is achieved through practices such as agroforestry and livestock management.

Carbon sequestration refers to the process of continuously absorbing and storing carbon. There are two primary types of carbon sequestration

  • Biological is the process of storing Carbon in vegetation, soils and oceans

  • Geological carbon sequestration is the process of capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources and injecting them into underground geological formations for long-term storage

However recently there has been an emergence of technological Carbon Sequestration where researchers are investigating new methodologies to remove and store carbon from the atmosphere

Hemp In Carbon Sequestration

Industrial Hemp is a fast growing plant and has been evidenced to be capable of absorbing more CO2 per hectre than any other crop or tree making it ideal or Carbon Sequestration.

Annually, a hectre of Industrial hemp is said to absorb between 8 to 15 tonnes of CO2 whilst a hec of forest can be seen to capture 2 to 6 tonnes of CO2.

Additionally, Hemp is a Carbon Negative plant - absorbing more CO2 from the atmosphere during its growth than what is emmitted in farming it - therefore allowing it to be used for low-carbon constructions, and bioplastics.

Hemp has many qualitites which make it ideal for Carbon Farming

Biomass

Hemp is a fast-growing plant with high biomass production potential. During photosynthesis, hemp absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and converts it into organic matter, primarily in the form of plant biomass. As hemp grows, it sequesters carbon from the air and stores it in its stems, leaves, and roots.

Hemp cultivation can contribute to the accumulation of organic carbon in the soil. Hemp's extensive root system and high biomass production contribute to soil organic matter formation and soil carbon sequestration. By returning organic matter to the soil through root exudates, decaying plant material, and crop residues, hemp enhances soil health while sequestering carbon in the soil.

Reduced Tillage

Hemp can be integrated into diverse crop rotation and cover cropping systems, promoting soil health and biodiversity while enhancing carbon sequestration. Rotating hemp with other crops and incorporating cover crops into cropping systems helps maintain continuous plant cover, reduce soil erosion, and enhance carbon inputs to the soil.

Biochar Production

Soil Carbon Storage

Hemp cultivation often involves reduced tillage or no-till practices, which help preserve soil structure and organic carbon content. Minimizing soil disturbance reduces carbon loss from soil erosion and enhances the stability of soil organic matter. Healthy soils with high organic carbon levels are more resilient to climate change impacts and support sustainable agricultural production.

Crop Rotation

Hemp biomass can be used to produce biochar, a stable form of charcoal that can be added to soils to enhance carbon sequestration. Biochar amendment improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability while sequestering carbon for long periods, contributing to soil carbon storage and fertility.

Hemp's perennial growth habit and potential for crop residues to remain in the soil for extended periods contribute to long-term carbon storage in agricultural ecosystems. By cycling carbon through plant biomass and soil organic matter, hemp farming supports continuous carbon sequestration over multiple growing seasons.

Long-Term Carbon Storage: