Search
Does the EU need an Emissions Trading System for agriculture?

July 04, 2024 | Carbon Market Watch

The European Commission is considering an EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for agriculture to address the sector's persistently high carbon footprint, which accounts for 12% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal follows Denmark's recent decision to introduce a carbon tax on agricultural emissions by 2030, expected to reduce emissions by up to 70%. However, challenges remain, including how to design an agricultural ETS that is fair, effective, and avoids offsetting schemes that could undermine emission reductions.

The debate highlights the need for stringent emission limits, no free pollution permits, and careful use of revenues to support a just transition, especially for small-scale farmers. Critics argue that without reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and addressing demand-side policies, an AgETS alone may not be sufficient. The CAP currently funds activities that promote unsustainable farming, and changes are necessary to reward sustainable practices. The success of an agricultural ETS will depend on its ability to drive meaningful change in farming practices, reduce emissions, and support farmers in transitioning to more sustainable methods.

Viewed Articles
Does the EU need an Emissions Trading System for agriculture?
July 04, 2024 | Carbon Market Watch | The European Commission is considering an EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for agriculture to address the sector's persistently high carbon footprint, which
Read More
Australian seaweed farm tackles livestock burps to combat climate change
May 15, 2025 | the japan times |  Off Tasmania’s coast, a 1,800-hectare seaweed farm is cultivating the red seaweed asparagopsis, known to significantly reduce methane emissions in livestock. Research
Tapping an innovative climate solution: upscaling food waste to animal feed in Japan and China
July 31, 2025 | New Security Beat (Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program blog) |  Japan and China are advancing the conversion of food waste into animal feed to cut methane emissio
Viet Nam’s green rice revolution: A game changer for farmers and the environment
August 21, 2025 | CGIAR | CGIAR and Viet Nam are expanding climate-resilient irrigation—most notably alternate wetting and drying (AWD)—as a pathway to reduce methane and improve water productivity. W
Nadia KVK becomes India’s first net zero certified Krishi Vigyan Kendra
October 4, 2025 | Global Agriculture | Nadia Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has become India’s first Net Zero–certified agricultural science center, achieving a verified –74.99 tCO₂e net carbon footprint,
Hybrid rice + innovations: a path forward for climate-smart agriculture
January 7, 2025 | International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) |  A recent study “Advanced technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields: Is hybrid rice the game changer?”, publi
TOP