Carbon Program
An applied policy research project establishing carbon emission baselines for agricultural products and developing reduction strategies, with stakeholder outreach and dissemination.
The Carbon Program targeted a focused area of research for The Simpson Centre in alignment with our Ag & Society pillar, while honouring the key tenet of sustained economic success in Canadian agri-food and agri-business.
The program fills a research niche that currently is sparsely populated in Canada. The program's first step resulted in an understanding of the agriculture sector’s key environmental practices and impacts; considering specific topics designed to help industry to protect or improve water quality and soil health, and in doing so, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The second stage of the program work includes in-depth research in policies designed to reduce agriculture emissions, to help position Canada for success in a low-carbon economy, and to best align with continued economic growth and success.
Finally, The Carbon Program includes a targeted engagement approach to reach out to stakeholders on various central issues.
The Simpson Centre delivered The Carbon Program through funding of $1.17 million from Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.
Alberta Agriculture Carbon Dashboard
As part of the Carbon Program, The Simpson Centre created a user-friendly dashboard to help Canadians understand their agriculture-sourced GHG emissions.