Decarbonising the Agri Value Chain: Terrascope Tackles Complexity for Global MNCs

Agricultural Emissions

Agricultural Emissions 

The food and beverage sector, responsible for 34% of global GHG emissions across the value chain, faces unique challenges in achieving decarbonisation. With the majority of emissions stemming from agriculture and land use change, it is crucial for companies to align with land-based emissions mitigation pathways and accelerate the transition to a net-zero global economy, in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).


However,  identifying and implementing emission-reducing technologies remains difficult, given the decentralisation and the need to  balance climate goals with biodiversity, nutrition, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers and farming communities.


Terrascope, with deep expertise in decarbonising the agri value chain, has successfully worked with large MNCs worldwide in categories such as crop and livestock retailers, primary processors and traders, manufacturers, and retailers, and is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the agricultural sector and guide enterprises on their end-to-end decarbonisation journey.

Key Emissions Hotspots in Agriculture 

While a significant proportion of emissions originate from agriculture and land-use change, over 90% of emissions in trading and retail businesses in the food and beverage industry are from Scope-3 emissions.

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 Agricultural Commodities
Methane Emissions from Rice Cultivation

Methane Emissions from Rice Cultivation

Paddy rice cultivation, in which flooded fields prevent oxygen from penetrating the soil, creating ideal conditions for methane emitting bacteria

Emissions from Fertiliser Production

Emissions from Fertiliser Production

All upstream emissions in carbon dioxide equivalent associated with the production of fertilisers, including all the raw and processed materials.

_N2O Emissions from Fertiliser Application_

N2O Emissions from Fertiliser Application

Emissions from synthetic and organic fertiliser application     from nitrification and denitrification   that increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil, emitting nitrous oxide.

Emissions from Irrigation

Emissions from Irrigation

Emissions in carbon dioxide equivalent associated with energy use, infrastructure, and machinery used to deliver water to crops.

 Dairy and Livestock  
Land Use Change Emissions in Feed Production

Land Use Change Emissions in Feed Production

Emissions from Feed Production (typically soybean and maize grains) are attributed to carbon dioxide emissions from Land Use Change, which are often associated with a change in land cover and an associated change in carbon stocks

Methane Emissions from Enteric Fermentation_

Methane Emissions from Enteric Fermentation

Methane is produced in herbivores as a by-products of enteric fermentation, a digestive process by which carbohydrates are broken down by microoorganisms into simple molecules for absorption into the bloodstream.

Methane and N2O Emissions from Manure Management

Methane and N2O Emissions from Manure Management

Methane is produced during the storage and treatment of manure, and from manure deposited on pasture. Nitrous oxide is produced directly and indirectly during the storage and treatment of manure before its applied to land or otherwise used for feed, fuel, or construction purposes.

 Palm Oil  
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Methane Emissions from Palm Oil Mill Effluent

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is a wastewater resulting from processing fresh fruit bunches to crude palm at the mills. Left untreated in the open, POME decomposes organically and this releases greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Land Use Change

Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Land Use Change

Forests store large amounts of carbon in their biomass and perform the very important ecosystem service of helping to regulate the global climate. When forests are converted to other land uses, they release their carbon as carbon dioxide.

_N2O Emissions from Fertiliser Application_

N2O Emissions from Fertiliser Application

Emissions from synthetic and organic fertiliser application results primarily from nitrification and denitrification processes that increases the amount og nitrogen available to microbes in the soil, which turn it into nitrous oxide.

Forest, Land and Agriculture Sector

Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG)

The Forest, Land, and Agriculture Science Based Target Setting Guidance (FLAG) is a pioneering global standard for land-intensive companies to establish science-based targets, encompassing land-based emissions reductions and removals. This robust, science-driven approach aligns with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, enabling companies to effectively cut land-related emissions.

FLAG targets are required for companies in SBTi FLAG-designated sectors or those with over 20% FLAG-related emissions. Companies must establish a baseline year, account for land-based emissions and removals separately, and trace primary commodity emissions in processed products.

Terrascope assists companies in meeting these requirements by identifying land-intensive activities, verifying FLAG-related emission thresholds, and separately accounting for land-based emissions and removals. Additionally, Terrascope maps raw commodities in processed products and guides companies in selecting appropriate pathways for setting FLAG targets. Adopt FLAG Guidance and Terrascope's expertise to drive your company towards a sustainable and responsible future.

What Does the Forestry Land Use and Agriculture FLAG Sector Cover
FLAG targets are additional to Energy and Industry targets

How Terrascope Supports the FLAG Sector

Calculating Emissions
Calculating Emissions

Data Collection: Data accuracy and EF matching:

Measurement confidence Uncertainty metrics for business and EF data

Emissions from Biogenic Sources:

1. Able to account and separate biogenic and non-biogenic related emissions

2. Able to account for out-of-scope emissions

Land-Use Change:

Able to account for LUC and non-LUC emissions

Emissions Sinks:

Able to visualise and separate carbon removal (tCO2e) on the platform

Currently performed manually (Plan for building the calculator down the pipeline).

Setting Targets
Setting Targets

If company meets FLAG sector threshold:

Identify whether the companies are required to set FLAG targets based on the FLAG and non-FLAG emission proportion.

Demand side VS Supply side:

Guide companies in choosing the right approach in accounting for FLAG emissions (i.e., sector or commodity, approach)

Set separate FLAG and non-FLAG targets:

Assist companies in setting FLAG and non-FLAG tagets (I.e. Accounting for both emissions independently)
Reporting
Reporting

Near-term targets (5-10 years):

Provide quantitative figures towards target reporting and validation

Long-term targets (> 10 years):

Provide quantitative figures towards target reporting and validation

Testimonials

_MC_Agri_Alliance

"The Terrascope Platform not only provided us with a comprehensive analysis of our indirect emission hotspots, but their team of sustainability experts also partnered with us to explore strategies for reducing emissions and ensuring our supply chain is prepared for the future."

 

Masayoshi Urano

CEO, MC Agri Alliance

_Pokka_

"The Terrascope platform has been invaluable in helping us understand our unit carbon emissions and identifying opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. The insights provided by Terrascope have helped us build towards a more resilient supply chain that is better prepared for the future"

 

Rex Macaskill

Group CEO of Pokka

_Olam_

"When we piloted this new measurement system at Olam. It showed that our measurement baseline was off by around 35%. Only by understanding where we stand on the quality and granularity of our data, and by improving confidence in our measurement, will we be able to build a pathway to meet our 1.5°C targets."

Sunny Verghese

Co-founder and Group CEO of Olam

Featured Clientele
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Pokka
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GCB
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Olam-International-Logo
Pokka
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MCAA_logo
Greenfields_(Indonesian_Dairy_Company)_logo.svg
GCB
ofi-logo-transparent
Olam-International-Logo
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MCAA_logo
Greenfields_(Indonesian_Dairy_Company)_logo.svg
GCB
ofi-logo-transparent