Administration Announces Voluntary Climate Mitigation Measures for Agriculture & Forestry

April 24, 2015

On April 23, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several voluntary measures for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation from the agriculture and forestry sectors. According to Vilsack, agriculture is responsible for 9 percent of U.S. GHG emissions. Using existing authority in the 2014 Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aims to lower GHGs in forestry and agriculture by 120 million metric tons, equal to removing 25 million cars off the road per year. In its fact sheet, USDA outlines ten building blocks as the basis of its Climate Smart Agriculture Program, as well as announces several public-private partnerships, grants and programs aimed at reducing GHGs from land use.

In a press release, Secretary Vilsack noted that, “We want to do this in a way that will help not only environment but also improve agricultural productivity with improved yields.” Programs range from reforesting areas damaged by wildfire, pests and disease, urban reforestation, methane reduction in the livestock sector, reducing the amount of fertilizers and inputs needed for agriculture and improving soil health. The ten building blocks in the strategy are: soil health, nitrogen stewardship, livestock partnerships, conservation of sensitive lands, grazing and pasture lands, private forest growth and retention, stewardship of federal forests, promotion of wood products, urban forests, energy generation and efficiency.

The voluntary measures are part of the President’s pledge to reduce U.S. GHG emissions between 26 to 28 percent, from 2005 levels, by 2025. The United States agricultural sector has lower GHG emissions, relative to global averages. Vilsack stated that “American farmers and ranchers are leaders when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency in their operations.”

In addition to the strategy, ten public-private partnerships were announced as part of the Climate Smart Agriculture Program. They include the following programs:

Field to Market: comprised of more than 70 organizations, this initiative aims to reduce GHGs from commodity crop production.
The Fertilizer Institute: provides financial support for nutrient stewardship, which includes correct nutrient sources applied in appropriate volumes, timing and areas.
The Nature Conservancy and Walt Disney: The Nature Conservancy plans to reforest 2,000 acres in the Lower Mississippi watershed.
Watershed Opportunity Strategy: Will provide capital for facilities that convert organic wastes to renewable natural gas and other products.
The Arbor Day Foundation: Working with utilities to plant 40,000 trees, in order to save energy and sequester carbon.
Walmart & Environmental Defense Fund: Program to reduce greenhouse gases throughout the supply chain.
Forest Policy Forum: A group of forestry companies and conservation organizations outlined a series of actions to maintain and increase productive forests.
The American Forest Foundation – Forest Service Partnership: A program to work with 20,000 forest owners to mitigate wildfire threats.
Forest Climate Working Group: A public-private partnership that will develop a toolkit for states to help landowners support carbon reductions through forestry practices and forest products.
Lyme Timber Company: A Florida-based timber company, Lyme will register approximately 50,000 acres of Florida timberland with the California Air Resources board, which will allow the company to preserve a mixed-age forest while still supporting a local sawmill.