This spring, not only has the north been hit by relentless, seemingly endless rain, but even the typically dry south has seen a surge in rainfall, impacting onion and wax apple production south of the border. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasing extreme weather events are continuously impacting agricultural production. To this end, the Council of Agriculture has taken the lead in declaring a goal of achieving net-zero agricultural emissions by 2040, strengthening the resilience of Taiwan's agriculture through "reduction," "sink enhancement," "circulation," and "green trends."
Even money can't buy it! Extreme climate exacerbates disaster losses and indirectly affects food security
"Having money but not being able to buy eggs" has been a common complaint among many people lately. Council of Agriculture Chairman Chen Chi-chung, in his speech at the "Towards Net-Zero Agricultural Emissions Strategy Conference," noted that the cold winter weather and large temperature swings in western China, coupled with logistical disruptions caused by the pandemic and the sharp rise in prices of raw materials like soybeans and corn, have increased egg production costs and impacted egg production capacity. This demonstrates the speed with which climate change is impacting agriculture. "It's too late to adapt. The fundamental solution lies in greenhouse gas emissions reductions."
The global trend toward net-zero emissions by 2050 is sweeping Taiwan, and Taiwan is actively responding. After 27 symposiums attended by over 2,000 participants from industry, government, and academia, the Council of Agriculture announced its "Net-Zero Agricultural Emissions" strategy, encompassing four key themes, 13 strategies, and 59 measures. The strategy aims to pioneer net-zero emissions, leverage agricultural advantages, help farmers obtain carbon credits, and experience the benefits of net-zero emissions through carbon trading.
Chen Chi-chung stated that Taiwan's average annual temperature rise over the past 50 years, at 0.6-0.8°C relative to the base period, has already had significant impacts. The agricultural adaptation target of 1.5°C, adopted three years ago, has been insufficient to withstand the impact. Agricultural losses, for example, averaged NT$10.9 billion over the past 25 years (1996-2010), NT$11.2 billion over the past 15 years (2006-2020), and NT$13.5 billion over the past five years (2016-2020). The trend in losses is likely to continue.
Disaster losses are just a number. The agri-food system faces severe challenges, impacting not only farmers' livelihoods but also ultimately consumer behavior through price tags. Meanwhile, the agricultural sector boasts 800,000 hectares of farmland, 2.2 million hectares of forest, and approximately 183,000 hectares of bamboo forest. Furthermore, the region is surrounded by the sea, recycling 5.68 million metric tons of agricultural waste annually, creating excellent carbon sequestration conditions. With proper planning, these areas can apply for carbon credits, increasing farmers' carbon trading income.
Agriculture can more than offset carbon emissions, and net zero can also contribute to carbon sinks.
According to Taiwan's 2021 National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, forests sequestered 9.76 metric tons of carbon per hectare in 2019, totaling 21.44 million tons, more than enough to offset agricultural emissions. However, compared to Taiwan's overall carbon emissions of 287 million tons, agriculture accounts for only 2.22%. In an interview, Zhuang Laoda, Executive Director of the Net Zero Emissions Office (also Director of the Planning Division of the Council of Agriculture), established in September 2021, stated that the agricultural sector has not only already achieved net zero emissions but also has 15.07 million tons to contribute.
The agricultural sector has already achieved net-zero emissions, so what's the point of further research on this issue? Zhuang Laoda explained that net-zero emissions are based on a 2005 base year, with reduction targets set based on this emissions figure. Therefore, carbon inventories must first be conducted to establish a baseline. Only by increasing carbon sinks below this baseline can carbon credits be obtained. The basic principle is to first register, conduct an inventory to establish a baseline, and then develop a measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) mechanism. Once carbon credits are obtained, carbon trading can begin.
For example, a forestry cooperative can plant trees after registration. After conversion, it can calculate how much carbon rights are equivalent to one year. When the time comes and the increased afforestation area is verified and confirmed, it can obtain carbon rights for carbon trading.
Buying agricultural products reveals carbon footprint; farmers can earn carbon credits
The 2015 Climate Change Regulation mandates that the carbon footprint of agricultural production be reduced to 5 million tons, necessitating continuous reductions within the agricultural sector. Zhuang Laoda explained that agricultural reductions can be achieved through the electrification of agricultural machinery and the use of more energy-efficient equipment. Furthermore, reductions may become impossible to achieve beyond a certain point, as continued agricultural development leads to improved technologies, such as the use of cold chains, which in turn increases emissions. Therefore, the second key focus is on "sink enhancement."
Furthermore, agricultural production does not want to reduce production to achieve net-zero emissions, which would indirectly increase product costs. "For example, while indirect irrigation can reduce carbon emissions, it cannot be reduced to the point where yields are reduced; or fertilizer use cannot be so high as to impact production," Zhuang Laoda pointed out. All net-zero carbon sink enhancement efforts must be achieved while maintaining current production levels.
Will there be incentives for farmers who cooperate with net-zero emissions? Zhuang Laoda explained that frontline farmers must comply with the net-zero emissions policy without compromising their income. Therefore, while encouraging afforestation and carbon reduction, farmers will also be helped to increase their income through carbon credits and carbon trading.
In order to encourage consumers to buy products with a smaller carbon footprint, the Council of Agriculture will also conduct an agricultural carbon footprint inventory, marking the carbon footprint generated from the production end to the moment the consumer purchases major products such as eggs and rice.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/233339)
