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This page is designed to give information to PulsePEP community members on using the Farm Carbon Calculator from Farm Carbon Toolkit for carbon emission baselining as part of the Nitrogen Climate Smart Project.

Why should I Carbon Baseline my farm?

The NCS project aims to unlock the power of UK grown pulses to cut agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. A major aim of the NCS project is to investigate the climate impact of increased pulse cropping frequency on farms so we can be sure about any benefits we think we might see. In order to do this, we would like to gather data from 200 UK farms to be able to use real world information to get as robust and reliable picture as possible. The Farm Carbon Calculator from Farm Carbon Toolkit can capture this information at farm level so we have a wholistic view of the GHG impact of increasing pulse cropping frequency, taking into account all activities that different rotational choices cause on farm.

An added benefit is that the Farm Carbon Calculator will give you a personalised breakdown of emissions on your own farm, and even better - it's free!

 

How do I do it? 

  • Simply go to the Farm Carbon Calculator and login or create an account. Follow the online guidance to begin inputting to the calculator, making sure to tick the following box when asked as this will allow us to associate your data with the NCS project:

FCT Screenshot

  • Remember to update your carbon baseline on a yearly basis - this will help us understand how changes in pulse cropping frequency through time influences GHG emissions on farm.

 

I don't grow many pulses - Is my data helpful?

Yes! In order to understand the impact of increased pulse cropping frequency on greenhouse gas emissions we need to be able to compare between different cropping frequencies. For some farms that are aiming to grow more pulses in the future we will compare data through time. For others we will try and compare data between farms to look at impacts of pulses cropping frequency, and so need data from farms that have varying levels.

 

Can I get any help?

A Quick Start Guide is available in pdf format from Farm Carbon Toolkit, alongside a data gathering guide, and data collection spreadsheet - which can help you understand and gather all the information you need. These are available by following the links attached, or below.

A video detailing a step-by-step guide will be made available soon.

Also watch out for dates of help webinars to be released soon.

Watch this Webinar for further guidance:

 

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In 2015, the UK pledged to be Net Zero by 2050, with the NFU striving for the more ambitious target of 2040. Net Zero is achieved when the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted is balanced with those removed from the atmosphere. This helps to combat climate change and reduce global warming.

Pulses are leguminous crops harvested for dry protein-rich seed, with peas (pisum sativum) and beans (vicia faba) being the major crops in the UK.

The number of tools and calculators available can be daunting. None are necessarily right or wrong, the appropriate tool for you depends on the question you are asking.

The Farm Carbon Toolkit was created by farmers for farmers. For over a decade, we’ve worked to further the understanding of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. We provide tools and services to measure impact and run projects with farmers that inspire action on the ground. Our vision is a farming sector that minimises its carbon emissions and maximises its carbon sequestration, whilst producing quality food and a wide range of public goods, all produced by resilient and profitable farm businesses. Some people call this vision a regenerative farming future.  

Lots of initiatives are measuring and reporting the carbon or greenhouse footprint of products or activities, including crops, livestock and food.

Climate change threatens our ability to ensure global food security, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. In 2016, 31 percent of global emissions originating from human activity came from agrifood systems.

The key GHGs for agriculture that contribute directly to climate change are:  Carbon dioxide (CO2)  Methane (CH4)  Nitrous oxide (N2O)   All these GHGs are often grouped under the umbrella term ‘carbon’.