Canada urges farmers to adopt climate-smart practices

Farmers in CANADA are at the forefront of deteriorating climate impacts, so adopting climate-smart best practices and policies is the best way to increase the sustainability of agricultural production.

The best way to increase climate resilience in the diverse realities and landscapes of Canadian agriculture is to develop and implement solutions tailored to each region, led by farmers and farmer groups themselves.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibault has announced an investment of $185 million over the next 10 years in a new Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) program.

The ACS program aims to create a Canada-wide, farmer-led regional cooperation network that includes scientists and representatives from other sectors. Together they will develop and share management practices that best sequester carbon and mitigate climate change. This work will also help protect biodiversity, improve water and soil quality, and increase farmers' profits.

“Our government is working in partnership with farmers to develop and implement best practices to combat climate change, protect our lands and waters, and deliver important economic benefits to farmers. Through significant regional collaboration, coast to coast, the Agricultural Climate Solutions program puts farmers at the forefront of managing Canadian agriculture on a path to sustainable production and future climate change for generations to come,” said Minister Bibo.

To be eligible for the ACS program, applicants must form a large network of partnerships within the province, including with agricultural nonprofits, indigenous organizations, and environmental groups.

The program will take place in two stages. The first phase, which will begin April 1, aims to support the development of proposals focused on Regional Collaborating Centers, also known as Living Labs, through grants of up to $ 100,000 . Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will host regional information sessions in the coming weeks.

The second phase of the program will begin in autumn 2021. At this stage, groups of applicants may apply for financial support of up to $10 million per project.

The ACS program is one of many important new initiatives being taken to promote environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector and is part of the Canadian Climate Management Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050.

Canadian Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said: “Canadian farmers are constantly innovating to make their practices more sustainable. That's why the Government of Canada is excited to work with farmers across the country to continue this work by identifying and implementing farm management practices that harness the power of nature's solutions to reduce carbon emissions and maintain biodiversity. Through programs like this one, which complements the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, we will create a stronger future—one that enables Canadians to achieve their environmental goals and economic aspirations.”