Envisioning sustainable carbon sequestration in Swedish farmland
(2022) In Environmental Science and Policy 135. p.16-25- Abstract
Negative trends of climate change and biodiversity loss are closely linked with farming practices, and it is therefore essential to re-think how agricultural systems can sequester more carbon, and simultaneously create vital ecosystems. The overall aim of this research is to imagine Swedish farms as carbon sinks rather than sources, and how to re-design the current farm- and food system to also address other social, economic, and environmental sustainability challenges. This paper is the outcome of two visioning workshops together with participants in an ongoing initiative called Swedish Carbon Sequestration [Svensk Kolinlagring]. Participants discussed what alternative futures might look like, how they would function, and how to get... (More)
Negative trends of climate change and biodiversity loss are closely linked with farming practices, and it is therefore essential to re-think how agricultural systems can sequester more carbon, and simultaneously create vital ecosystems. The overall aim of this research is to imagine Swedish farms as carbon sinks rather than sources, and how to re-design the current farm- and food system to also address other social, economic, and environmental sustainability challenges. This paper is the outcome of two visioning workshops together with participants in an ongoing initiative called Swedish Carbon Sequestration [Svensk Kolinlagring]. Participants discussed what alternative futures might look like, how they would function, and how to get there. The farm-level visions include perennial crops, keyline design, online farmers markets, increased collaboration between farms, and increased knowledge about soil health. The participants highlight complex interactions between animals, trees, leys, and crops that can support carbon sequestration. They also emphasize the need to increase both farmer's and society's knowledge about soil health and its multiple positive effects on carbon sequestration. In addition, a transformation of the farm- and food system would also contribute with positive effects on farmers income and their autonomy over decision making and long-term planning, in turn also improving farmers’ and consumers’ health. The participants highlight that the food system will be transformed by changes in consumer demand, increased knowledge and awareness, shortened value chains, and by changing policies and financial support systems to favor farmers who engage with agroecological principles of farming.
(Less)
- author
- Johansson, Emma Li LU ; Brogaard, Sara LU and Brodin, Lova
- organization
- publishing date
- 2022-09
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Carbon sequestration, Food systems, Future scenarios, Knowledge co-production, Regenerative farming, Transdisciplinary research
- in
- Environmental Science and Policy
- volume
- 135
- pages
- 10 pages
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85129911432
- ISSN
- 1462-9011
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.04.005
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Funding Information: We are grateful to the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) for financial support (grant number 2019–05474 ). The second workshop was financed by Mistra – the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research ( DIA 2019/28 ), and Formas – a Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development , as part of the national research programme on climate (grant number 2021–00416 ). Thank you to all farmers, farming consultants, and food industry advisors who participated in the workshops that formed the foundation of this research. Also, many thanks to everyone who took notes and helped to facilitate the workshop. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors
- id
- 3543506b-3b8f-4883-b4bb-4ec222df687c
- date added to LUP
- 2022-06-03 09:47:53
- date last changed
- 2023-05-10 11:45:21
@article{3543506b-3b8f-4883-b4bb-4ec222df687c,
abstract = {{<p>Negative trends of climate change and biodiversity loss are closely linked with farming practices, and it is therefore essential to re-think how agricultural systems can sequester more carbon, and simultaneously create vital ecosystems. The overall aim of this research is to imagine Swedish farms as carbon sinks rather than sources, and how to re-design the current farm- and food system to also address other social, economic, and environmental sustainability challenges. This paper is the outcome of two visioning workshops together with participants in an ongoing initiative called Swedish Carbon Sequestration [Svensk Kolinlagring]. Participants discussed what alternative futures might look like, how they would function, and how to get there. The farm-level visions include perennial crops, keyline design, online farmers markets, increased collaboration between farms, and increased knowledge about soil health. The participants highlight complex interactions between animals, trees, leys, and crops that can support carbon sequestration. They also emphasize the need to increase both farmer's and society's knowledge about soil health and its multiple positive effects on carbon sequestration. In addition, a transformation of the farm- and food system would also contribute with positive effects on farmers income and their autonomy over decision making and long-term planning, in turn also improving farmers’ and consumers’ health. The participants highlight that the food system will be transformed by changes in consumer demand, increased knowledge and awareness, shortened value chains, and by changing policies and financial support systems to favor farmers who engage with agroecological principles of farming.</p>}},
author = {{Johansson, Emma Li and Brogaard, Sara and Brodin, Lova}},
issn = {{1462-9011}},
keywords = {{Carbon sequestration; Food systems; Future scenarios; Knowledge co-production; Regenerative farming; Transdisciplinary research}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{16--25}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Environmental Science and Policy}},
title = {{Envisioning sustainable carbon sequestration in Swedish farmland}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.04.005}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.envsci.2022.04.005}},
volume = {{135}},
year = {{2022}},
}