Smart Net-Zero

April 02, 2024 | USDA | 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the second edition of "Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity Scale Inventory." This report equips farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners with updated methods and tools to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of their operations. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of the report, stating it ensures confidence in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The update builds upon the 2014 edition, offering improved accuracy, new quantification methods for GHG benefits, and enhanced user-friendliness. These methods are foundational to tools like COMET-Farm, aiding farmers in creating GHG inventories and exploring management scenarios to reduce emissions. Developed by a diverse team over four years, the update aligns with the latest scientific advancements and supports USDA's efforts in conservation, climate action, and market participation for carbon and climate-smart products. The report, available online, underscores USDA's commitment to advancing science-based solutions for sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.