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The Climate Case
With agriculture accounting for around a quarter of global emissions, our food system is both a key driver of climate change and one of the most powerful potential tools for addressing it.
Video courtesy of Dr. Bronner's
Farming techniques like deep tilling, mono-cropping, and the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides contribute to climate change by speeding the erosion of topsoil and killing off microorganisms that build soil carbon and enable the soil to serve as a natural “carbon sink.”
Overuse of these techniques mean we are now in the midst of a soil health crisis: About a third of the world’s topsoil has already been degraded, and FAO estimates that 90% of soils could become degraded by 2050 [FAO].
Regenerative agriculture practices turn agriculture from a climate problem into a climate solution by storing more carbon in the ground than is released into the atmosphere while farming.
The core principles of regenerative agriculture, rooted in Indigenous practices, include:
- reducing chemical inputs
- reducing or eliminating soil tilling
- moving from mono-crops to diverse cropping systems (including cover crops)
- managed grazing
- compost application
The Benefits
“Regenerating communities is a comprehensive long-term process, which tackles social, economic, physical, and environmental issues that face the communities in which we work.” -Organic India
Sourcing regenerative ingredients and working with farmers to improve soil health leads to a range of benefits that extend beyond climate mitigation, from reduced supply chain risks and farm input costs to improvements in biodiversity, land productivity and yields.
Supply chain resiliency
Farms using regenerative growing practices benefit from increased long-term land productivity, healthier topsoil, and overall crop resiliency. Soil high in organic matter requires fewer synthetic inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) and is better able to resist the droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events that are becoming increasingly common as a result of climate change. Stable supply chains are key to business resiliency and the ability to plan long-term.
Investing in supplier communities
A core pillar of regenerative agriculture is the benefit to communities. Regenerative systems invest in fair pay, safe and inclusive working conditions, and empowered workers. Strengthening farming communities is essential to building the sustainable food pathways that feed us all. As food companies join the ranks of those setting ambitious climate targets, supply chain engagement is increasingly important.
Take Action
Companies that make regenerative agriculture commitments are pledging to transition their supply chain practices in ways that store carbon in the soil, reducing the emissions footprint of their agriculture practices.
Video courtesy of Nature's Path Organic
Regenerative practices may look different according to crop type and region, but embracing regenerative agriculture often begins with:
- switching to regeneratively grown ingredients
- working directly with farmers to support and invest in transitions to regenerative practices
- advocating for policies that support these practices
- engaging consumers
- building equity and justice considerations into projects to address the systemic inequities in agriculture supply chains
Read more about how Climate Collaborative companies are approaching regenerative agriculture on our Spotlights page.
Companies committed to integrating carbon farming in their supply chains will be expected to complete an annual online questionnaire updating the Climate Collaborative on progress made toward the commitment. The questionnaire is short and should not be burdensome to complete.
Please note that this commitment pertains to land-based farming. Livestock and land-based producers might want to make a commitment here for their land but also consider making a commitment to reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants such as methane from manure and rice cultivation, or black carbon from agricultural burning.
Resources
Rooted Community
Join our ongoing working group advancing regenerative agriculture principles and practices. The Rooted Community is open to all companies that have made the agriculture commitment.
Make a commitment with Climate Collaborative
Regenerative agriculture is evolving quickly. We’re here to support your company with cutting edge resources and practical guidance to achieve your carbon farming goals. Companies of all sizes are encouraged to make an agriculture commitment and start taking advantage of Climate Collaborative’s network of over 700 climate-conscious companies.
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COMPANIES COMMITTED
1908 Brands
12 Tides Seaweed Co.
Abe's Eats
AFRD Georgia
Algama Foods
Alter Eco
Amavida Coffee Roasters
Ancient Nutrition
Andean Naturals
Annie's
Applegate
Aurora Organic Dairy
Avocado Green Brands
Azolla Projects
Back to the Roots
Backpacker's Pantry & Chef Soraya
Ben & Jerry's
Bhakti Chai
Bhoomi
Big Tree Farms
Biotic Beverages
Black River Hemp Co
Blue Bus Cultured Foods
Bluebird Botanicals
Bread Alone
Bright Future Foods
Broth Baby
Buchi Kombucha
Bumbleroot Foods
California Olive Ranch
Cappello's
Carman Ranch
Cascadian Farm
Cha's Organics
Choquiero Chocolate
Chuao Chocolatier/ Wild Joy Goods
Clif Bar
Clif Family Winery
Clover Sonoma
Comercio Competitivo Inc.
Comet Bio
Community Grains
Cooperative Coffees
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Dang Foods
Davidson's Organic Tea
Dr. Bronner's
EarthKind
ECO HUB INC, Build a Blend and Ingredient Hub
Eco Terreno Wines and Vineyards
Eden Foods
Emmer & Co.
Endorfin Foods
Epic
Fare Elements
Fetzer Vineyards
Foggy Bottom Boys
Foodstirs, Inc.
Fruit d'Or
Gaia Herbs
General Mills
GoGo Quinoa
GoMacro
Good Food For Good
Good Spread
Guayaki
Happy Family
Happy Moose
Harmless Harvest
Harper Macaw Chocolate Makers
Herb Pharm
Herbalist & Alchemist
Imlak'esh Organics
Impossible Foods
INDIGENOUS
Jiminy's
Justin's
Kaibae
Keen One Foods LLC
Kikoko
Kiwa Life
Kube Nice Cream
Kuli Kuli Foods
Lotus
Loving Earth
Lumen
Lundberg Family Farms
Maple Hill Creamery
Maple Wellness Foods
Martin Bauer Group
MegaFood
Miyoko's Kitchen
Moon Valley Organics
Moyee Coffee
Nana Joe's Granola
Natural Factors
Nature's Path
Nature's Sunshine
Navitas Organics
New Barn
New Chapter
Ninglement Inc
North Coast Brewing Company
Neutral Foods
Numi
Nutiva
Oakland Coffee Works
Ocean's Halo
Old World Winery
OlyKraut
Oregon's Wild Harvest
Organic India
Organic Valley
Pacha
Pacific Herbs
Peace Coffee
Peak State
Pharmanza Herbal
Philadelphia Macaroni Company
Pines International, Inc.
Prana Biovegan
Pratt Standard
Prima
Prosper Juice
Psilocu
Pure Organic Foods and Fiber, Inc.
PurelyB
Quinn
Rad Snack Trade LLC (Amazi Foods)
RE Botanicals
REBBL
Redwood Hill Farm & Creamery
Reformation
Rhythm Superfoods
Rich Nuts
Rif Care
Rogue Creamery
Sambazon
Scratch and Peck Feeds
Serenity Kids
Seven Sundays
Shanbally Herb Dispensary
Shroomeats
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co
Simple Mills
SIMPLi
Skagit Valley Malting
Sol Simple
Stonyfield
Straus Family Creamery
SunRidge Farms
Tankabar
Teatulia Organic Teas
Teeccino
Teton Waters Ranch
The FruitGuys
The Jackfruit Company
The Philosopher's Stoneground
Theo Chocolate
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed
Tony's Coffee
Torajamelo
Traditional Medicinals
Trickling Springs Creamery
True Purpose Brands
Twrl Milk Tea
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Vital Farms
W.S. Badger Company
Wandering Jew Old World Remedies
Wave Soda
Welly Bottle
White Leaf Provisons
Wildway
WishGarden Herbs
WN Pharmaceuticals LTD
Yellow Barn Biodynamic
Yogi
Basil Bandwagon
Blue Apron
BriarPatch Cooperative
Burgerville
Café Gratitude
Canyon Market
Co+opportunity Market & Deli
Common Crow Natural Market
Common Ground Food Co-op
Eatsie.us
Friendly City Food Co-op
Fruit World Co., Inc.
Good Earth Natural Foods
Good Eggs
Green Life Market
Green Zebra Grocery
Hive Brands, Inc
INFRA
Kinarya Coop
LifeSource Natural Foods
Maple City Market
MOM's Organic Market
Narrative Food
National Co+op Grocers
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
New Morning Market
No Bones Beach Club
Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Coop
Okina
Orcas Food Co-op
Oryana Food Cooperative
PCC Community Markets
Pure Fresh & Organic
Rising Tide Co-op
Roots Natural Foods
Spud.ca
The Merc Co+op
Thrive Market
Viroqua Food Co-op
Weaver's Way Cooperative Association
Wheatsville Food Co-op
Whole Foods Market
Zingerman's Community of Business
Coke Farm
Hummingbird Wholesale
YES! Apples
Adaptations Inc
Aliet Green
Ciranda
Danone North America
Eco Gloves
Farafena
Fresca Foods
Giusto's Specialty Foods
Healthy Food Ingredients
Hercules Food Co
JM Smucker Company
Jungle Project
King Arthur Flour
La Manta Foods
La Tourangelle, Inc.
Maple Valley Cooperative
Mountain Rose Herbs
Natural Habitats
Nature Bio Foods
Nimco Coporation
Nutriati, Inc.
Nutricare USA
OPTYVA
Organically Grown
Planet FWD
PURIS
Sustainable Sourcing LLC
Tradin Organic
Uncommon Cacao
Victory Hemp Foods
Voyaging Foods
40 Acre Co-op
AgriForce Seed
Alegria Fresh
Alexandre Family Farm
Bee Grateful Farm
Burroughs Family Farms
Cataleia S.A.
European Carbon Farmers
Finca Monterrey
Fruit Forest Farm
Global Family Farms
Kol Foods
Rancho Llano Seco
Skinny Farm
Stemple Creek Ranch
Sudhmahadev Vegetable Producer Company Ltd
TerViva
Timeless Food
Vilicus Farms
Wilcox Family Farms