OFA provides comments to Environmental and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) expressing support for the Reducing greenhouse gases at the intersection of natural asset management and agriculture project (referred to as the Agriculture and GHG project). This project will be led by the Greenbelt Foundation, in collaboration with the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. OFA is committed to working with the government and industry to ensure a new carbon offset credit system recognizes agriculture’s role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers should be recognized for their efforts to manage and enhance ecological goods and services (EG&S). OFA also believes governments need to create a fair system of incentive-based policies and programs that recognize the significant environmental contributions that result from the adoption of beneficial management practices, and that this is far more effective than the use of regulatory instruments.

The approach suggested by the project proponents provides an opportunity to build on the success of the natural asset management and develop practical ways to measure and optimize greenhouse gas storage on agricultural land using a systems approach. OFA has identified several opportunities in the Agriculture and GHG project to advance outcomes relative to maximizing ecosystem services. Should the letter of intent be accepted with an invitation for a full proposal for the Agriculture and GHG project, OFA would like to participate on the project’s Advisory Committee.