Global Carbon Field Trial Program

As a critical step to reach our climate-smart agriculture target, we initiated a Global Carbon Field Trial Program to continue identifying practices that support farming to become more carbon efficient and resilient. For the crops defined in the target, field trials were established to demonstrate combinations of sustainable practices, innovative products, and digital solutions that reduce emissions and/or increase yield compared to standard practices. 

To estimate the carbon footprint of crop production, we use the concept of greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi). This is the ratio between the emissions of the production system in a specific area (kg CO₂e·ha-1) and the yield (ton crop·ha-1). The GHGi (kg CO₂e·ton crop-1) is a measure of the efficiency of the crop production system with respect to its emissions (reported as CO₂ equivalent, CO₂e); therefore the lower the value, the higher its carbon efficiency.

We see these trials as an important source of validated information and data that can then be put into practice as part of our Carbon Farming Program. These learnings are already discussed with customers and farmers in different countries and regions and cropping systems, on their own fields, so that we can help co design the most optimal carbon farming program to meet their specific needs and objectives and drive down GHG emissions in agriculture. Our intention through this work is to identify the best interventions that deliver the ultimate CO₂e reductions and maximizing their potential for generating carbon credits on their land, now and for the long term. We are committed to being a trusted partner to farmers on this transformative journey towards decarbonization and climate change resilience.