Cutting carbon down on the farm pays off

National Farmers Union President Tom Buis said the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program allows farmers using low-carbon forms of agriculture to sell carbon credits to corporations enrolled with the exchange. According to Buis, the NFU recently sent out checks totaling $5.8 million to 2,300 farmers using farming techniques that capture carbon in 26 states.

Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) who plants trees on his farm to capture carbon, said farmers engaging in environmentally friendly farming are being rewarded through this program. He said farmers are able to aid in the fight against climate change while providing food for a growing global population. According to Lugar, American farmers are capable of meeting over half of America’s carbon caps. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said farmers are able to play a major role in reducing carbon emissions in the United States.

William Feretti of the Chicago Climate Exchange said the CCX is the only exchange of its kind in North America. He said 10 percent of Fortune 100 corporations currently use the Farmers Union Carbon Credits Program to adhere to carbon regulations. Buis stated that future legislation should acknowledge the benefits of FUCCPs, saying participants should be acknowledged for their role in combatting carbon emissions and rewarded for taking the initiative to lead.