Grain farmers have reduced emissions intensity by 50% in twenty years

Even before the Liberal government introduced its fertilizer emissions reduction target, Canadian grain farmers were leading the way in reducing agricultural emissions.

According to the Grain Growers of Canada, grain farmers outpaced the entire economy in reducing emissions intensity between 1997 and 2017. Emissions intensity measures a farmer’s emissions output relative to the production of one bushel.

During that period, grain farmers reduced their emissions intensity by 50%, while the entire Canadian economy saw a 36% reduction.

“For decades, grain farmers have been at the forefront of sustainability, making Canada a global leader in producing grain with the lowest possible emissions,” said the advocacy group’s vice-chair, William van Tassel.

“Yet, increasing our competitiveness and commitment to emissions reductions requires a significant increase in investment in research and development. These investments are essential to overcome current obstacles and seize future opportunities.”

Although the Liberal government has called grain growers the world’s worst emissions offenders, more and more research is coming out that refutes that claim.

According to the University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Food Security, Canadian farmers surpass the rest of the world when it comes to low-emission farming practices.

For example, Canadian canola farmers had a carbon footprint 60% lower than the global average, while farmers in Saskatchewan saw a staggering 67% reduction in emissions overall.

“These impressive results are due to the widespread adoption in Saskatchewan of agricultural innovations and sustainable farming practices that have significantly reduced the amount of inputs and emissions required to farm each hectare of land,” said researcher Prof. Steve Webb.

Despite farmers making progress on emissions reductions, the Liberal government has asked farmers to voluntarily reduce fertilizer emissions by 30% by 2030.

Some agricultural groups warn that this reduction is impossible without endangering global food security.