Increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide cause climate change. In the United States, several voluntary and regulatory markets have emerged which allow for purchases of carbon offsets. In many of these markets, agricultural conservation can be a source of offsets. These markets can help incentivize carbon sequestration and GHG mitigation in the agricultural sector while providing farmers compensation for environmental benefits. Below are links to resources, tools, and registries for carbon markets.
For more information about USDA’s climate change resources, visit the Climate Change Program Office webpage.
Resources
USDA Intent to Establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program (PDF, 248 KB)
This report explains USDA’s intent to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, which will facilitate farmer, rancher, and private forest landowner participation in voluntary carbon markets.
A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in U.S. Carbon Markets (PDF, 1.7 MB)
This report provides a comprehensive look at current market activity, barriers to participation, and opportunities to improve access to carbon markets for farmers and forest landowners. The report is the first of USDA’s deliverables under the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA), which was signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Managing Agricultural Land for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation within the United States
This report presents an analysis of the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential associated with changes in U.S. agricultural management practices.
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Options and Costs for Agricultural Land and Animal Production within the United States
This report outlines the financial incentives that would be necessary for agriculture producers to start adopting specific mitigation practices and technologies as part of their normal production and land management operations.
USDA Climate Change Program Office
Environmental Markets at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
Greenhouse Gas Estimation Tools and Methods
Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory