Canadian farmers are on the front lines of climate change.  They are already taking action to improve resilience and enhance profitability while reducing emissions, according to a recent report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

The Government of Canada set a target to reduce fertilizer-related emissions.  This led to consultations with the sector to gather feedback on how best to support farmers and producers through voluntary measures moving forward. Over 2,000 submissions were received through online consultation. 

AAFC analyzed the valuable feedback and recently published the Fertilizer Emissions Reduction Target Consultation What We Heard Report. AAFC says the feedback will inform AAFC’s work, in collaboration with the sector, to meet Canada’s fertilizer emissions reduction target of 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 and will unlock new economic opportunities.

AAFC also says it now hopes to increase communication and strengthen engagement between Government and the agricultural due to the consultation process.

To this end, a Fertilizer Working Group is being formed in partnership with the industry under the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Advisory Committee. As a co-chair of the Advisory Committee, AAFC will collaborate with this group to reach its objectives, which are to:

• Strengthen the ongoing dialogue between industry and government to share information and best practices and identify resources to reduce emissions from fertilizers

AAFC looks forward to building on the excellent work already underway in the agriculture sector to support Canada’s environmental and economic goals while feeding a growing world population.