Key Takeaways
- BASF and Boortmalt have generated the first Verified Impact Units (VIUs) from reducing on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- The initiative is part of BASF’s Global Carbon Farming Program, supported by xarvio® Digital Farming Solutions.
- Barley farmers in Ireland implementing sustainable practices have achieved GHG emission reductions of nearly 90%, saving 2.3 tons CO₂e per hectare.
- The VIUs were independently validated by SustainCERT and certified using Verra’s agricultural protocol (VM0042).
- Boortmalt aims to reduce barley emissions by 30.3% by 2030, supporting the transition to regenerative agriculture.
BASF & Boortmalt: Milestone in Climate-Smart Agriculture
BASF and Boortmalt have announced the successful generation of the first Verified Impact Units (VIUs), marking a significant milestone in carbon farming and agricultural sustainability. The initiative, which began in 2022, is part of BASF’s Global Carbon Farming Program, aimed at developing scalable solutions for reducing agricultural emissions.
“The journey we began in 2022 has now reached a pivotal milestone with the generation of the VIUs,” said Marko Grozdanovic, Senior Vice President Global Marketing at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “This achievement showcases the potential of climate-smart agriculture and our Global Carbon Farming Program.”
By quantifying the climate benefits of sustainable farming practices, the initiative provides a certification mechanism for companies seeking to track and reduce Scope 3 emissions—an area of growing importance under Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments.
On-Farm Emissions Reduction in Barley Cultivation
The carbon farming initiative was implemented in Ireland, where barley farmers adopted sustainable practices such as cover cropping. These efforts resulted in:
- GHG reductions of nearly 90%, saving 2.3 tons CO₂e per hectare.
- Improved soil health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.
- A model for certifying on-farm carbon reductions through carbon insetting.
“Through reliable verification and certification, farmers are rewarded for implementing sustainable practices that benefit the environment without compromising productivity,” said Gustavo Palerosi Carneiro, Senior Vice President BASF Agricultural Solutions for EMEA & CIS.
Boortmalt’s agronomists worked closely with farmers to support the transition from conventional to sustainable farming. The company recognizes the challenges of adopting new practices, including the need for knowledge, training, and investment in materials such as cover crop seeds.
“These first VIUs represent a critical step forward, benefitting farmers and reinforcing our commitment to reducing GHG emissions and promoting sustainability,” said Gauthier Boels, Group Sustainable Agriculture Manager at Boortmalt.
Independent Verification and Future Expansion
The Verified Impact Units (VIUs) were certified using Verra’s agricultural protocol (VM0042) and validated by SustainCERT, an independent verification body for climate impact assessments.
“Our team validated and verified the outcomes of BASF’s Global Carbon Farming Program to ensure that the CO2e savings are of the highest level of trust and accountability,” said Marion Verles, CEO of SustainCERT.
BASF plans to expand the Global Carbon Farming Program by working with partners globally across multiple crops. Meanwhile, Boortmalt aims to reduce its barley emissions by 30.3% by 2030 compared to its 2023 baseline, aligning with its SBTi commitments.
The insights from this initiative will inform future regenerative agriculture programs, providing tailored approaches for different regions and strengthening sustainability efforts across agricultural value chains.
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