Assessing Agricultural Carbon Quantification Methods

This project assessed the effectiveness of regenerative organic practices to store soil carbon, modeled greenhouse gas emissions and evaluated the effect of different regenerative organic practices on total GHG emissions, and developed recommendations for Patagonia on which practices have the largest impact on carbon sequestration in the soil.

Regenerative organic practices aim to build soil health by increase carbon stocks stored in the soil. Producers are encouraged to adopt practices such as zero tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation, and manure or compost applications. The benefits of implementing these practices include healthier, more resilient and productive soils, as well as a sink for atmospheric carbon. The ROA aims to accomplish this through the establishment of a new agriculture standard called the Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC). This certification has been backed by innovative companies, such as Patagonia and Dr. Bronners, who seek to use their business as a tool to combat climate change and protect the planet.