Soil carbon sequestration key to climate action, but MRV challenges persist
Soil holds more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined, making it crucial for climate mitigation efforts. As the global push for carbon sequestration grows, challenges remain in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), essential for ensuring accuracy in carbon storage. (Source: Angeli Mehta, Reuters)
Despite its importance, verifying soil carbon levels is costly and labor-intensive. Traditional methods rely on manual soil sampling, which is slow and difficult to scale. However, advances in technology, such as automated core extractors and probes, are changing the landscape. Companies like Agricarbon are automating soil analysis for clients such as Diageo and First Milk, while others like Yard Stick are developing on-the-spot probes for faster carbon assessment.
Machine learning
Machine learning is also driving innovation in soil carbon mapping. Companies like Perennial are reducing the need for physical sampling by leveraging algorithms to map soil carbon based on environmental and remote sensing data. As co-founder Jack Roswell explains, “We can predict soil organic carbon for every 10-by-10-meter pixel in a field, significantly reducing measurement errors.” Perennial has already mapped the U.S. and Australia and is working on projects in Argentina, Brazil, and Canada.
UK-based Downforce Technologies is also using machine learning to map soil carbon across vast regions. The company, co-founded by former U.N. chief scientist Jacqueline McGlade, is working on a project to map 8 million hectares in East Africa’s Rift Valley. Downforce aims to help African farmers adopt sustainable practices while reducing emissions.
Despite technological advancements, cost remains a barrier for many farmers. However, recent investments and government initiatives, such as the Biden administration’s $300 million allocation for improving MRV in climate-smart agriculture, are making these tools more accessible. As these technologies scale, they could play a crucial role in meeting global carbon reduction goals, helping farmers sequester carbon and reduce their environmental impact.
