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Reducing emissions from PEI Agriculture
Prince Edward Island’s agriculture sector is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and leading the transition to a low-carbon future. With a provincial goal of cutting agricultural emissions by 35-40% below 2015 levels by 2040, farmers are adopting best management practices (BMPs) to minimize environmental impact while maintaining productivity. This strategy outlines key mitigation efforts, including improved soil health, optimized nutrient use, and enhanced carbon sequestration, ensuring PEI’s agricultural community remains competitive, resilient, and sustainable for generations to come.
Growing a greener future together
Reducing agricultural emissions is a critical step toward a sustainable future, and PEI’s farmers are at the forefront of this effort. This strategy provides a detailed roadmap for achieving the province’s 2040 emissions reduction target, focusing on practical, science-backed solutions. It explores best management practices (BMPs) that can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions from crops and livestock, including improved nutrient management, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and changes in animal diet and manure management.
Beyond emissions reductions, this document also examines opportunities for farmers to benefit from carbon markets and environmental goods and services (EG&S) programs, ensuring financial incentives align with sustainability goals. By implementing these strategies, PEI’s agricultural sector can reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining productivity, competitiveness, and long-term resilience.
System-Level Strategies
Reducing agricultural emissions requires broad action. This section covers policies, industry commitments, and financial incentives that make climate action achievable and economically viable.
Government Emissions Targets
PEI aims to cut agricultural emissions 35-40% below 2015 levels by 2040. This requires reducing emissions from crops, livestock, and fuel use while improving soil carbon storage. Policies and funding programs are in place to help farmers adopt sustainable practices and track progress.
Support Co-operatives
Farmers can earn revenue through carbon markets by adopting GHG reduction practices. Programs like Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard allow producers to sell carbon credits, while government incentives support ecological goods and services (EG&S). As demand for low-carbon food grows, these opportunities will expand.
Improve Soil Health
Major companies—including Cavendish Farms, McCain, and PepsiCo—are setting Scope 3 emissions targets, pushing for lower on-farm emissions. Producers who adopt climate-smart practices will stay competitive and maintain access to key markets.
Enlarge and Upskill Workforce
Expanding cover cropping, agroforestry, and longer crop rotations can store more carbon in soil and vegetation. Policies supporting regenerative farming will strengthen carbon sequestration while improving long-term land sustainability.
Apply and Demonstrate Industry-Led Research
Programs like the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) help farmers implement nutrient management, reduced tillage, and manure improvements. These BMPs lower emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability.
On-farm Mitigation Practices
Reducing emissions starts on the farm. This section covers best practices like nutrient management, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and livestock improvements to boost sustainability and productivity.
Optimized Nutrient Management
Reducing nitrogen fertilizer use and adopting precision application methods lower nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Using cover crops, organic amendments, and slow-release fertilizers helps improve efficiency while maintaining soil fertility.
Cover Cropping and Reduced Tillage
Cover crops absorb excess nutrients, prevent erosion, and increase soil carbon storage, while reduced tillage slows decomposition and minimizes carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Together, these practices enhance soil health and long-term productivity.
Improved Crop Rotations
Extending and diversifying crop rotations—including more perennials—helps store carbon in soil, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, and lower overall emissions. Longer rotations also improve soil structure and resilience to extreme weather.
Climate-Smart Livestock Management
Adjusting animal diets, improving manure handling, and optimizing grazing practices significantly reduce methane (CH₄) emissions from livestock. Strategies like feed additives and anaerobic manure storage also enhance efficiency and sustainability.
Agroforestry and Land Restoration
Incorporating trees, hedgerows, and perennial vegetation on farms increases carbon sequestration while improving biodiversity and water retention. Restoring grasslands and forests on marginal land further offsets emissions.
Supporting Data and Infographics
Effective emissions reduction relies on strong data and analysis. This section presents key findings, visual insights, and emissions modeling that shape the Mitigation Strategy. From greenhouse gas (GHG) sources to the impact of best management practices (BMPs), these data-driven insights help guide decision-making and track progress toward PEI’s 2040 targets.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Modeling
- Figure 5: Modelled average annual GHG emissions per hectare for primary cropping systems
- Figure 6: Modelled average CO₂ + N₂O emissions (tonnes CO₂e ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹)
- Figure 7: Carbon input from roots and modelled change in soil carbon for different crop systems
- Figure 8: PEI Crop Inventory Modelled Total Emissions
- Figure 9: Modelled Livestock GHG Emissions per year
- Figure 10: Modelled Livestock GHG Emissions per head per year
- Figure 11: Modelled GHG Emissions Per Unit of Manure Based on PEI Inventory
- Figure 12: Total GHG Emissions Based on PEI Livestock and Crop Inventory
- Table 1: Summary of PEI Agriculture Estimated Baseline and GHG Emission Reduction Targets
- Table 2: Use Cases for GHG and Carbon Accounting
- Table 5: Land Use on Prince Edward Island
Mitigation Practices and Impact
- Figure 13: Modelled Annual GHG reductions with reduced tillage, cover cropping, and 20% reduced nitrogen rates
- Figure 14: Modelled N₂O Emissions Reductions at Various N Rates
- Figure 15: Modelled Soil Organic Carbon Change Over Time Using Cover Crops and Reduced Tillage
- Table 6: Modelled Crop System BMP GHG Reductions
- Table 7: Modelled Changes to Livestock & Manure Management
Future Projections and Pathways to 2040
- Figure 16: PEI Livestock Emissions Reduction Potential
- Figure 17: Modelled Livestock Emissions Reductions Per Head
- Figure 18: PEI Manure Emissions Reduction Potential
- Figure 19: Timeline to Realize GHG Reductions from BMPs (Annual Tonnes CO₂e)
- Figure 20: Annual GHG Emissions Relative to Net Zero Targets Based on BMP Implementation Timeline and Adoption Scenarios
- Table 9: BMP CO₂e Estimations and Project Sizing for EG&S and Carbon Markets
Land Use and Carbon Markets
- Figure 1: Land Use and Livestock Estimates Based on Annual Crop Inventory and Census Data 2015–2021
- Figure 2: Cropping Systems in ACI Data
- Figure 3: Potato Intensity Statistics
- Figure 4: Potato & Forage Intensity Statistics
- Figure 21: Provincial LULUCF Estimates 2000–2020
- Figure 22: Opportunity Cost of Land Conversion Emissions on Perennial Carbon Sink Potential
- Table 3: Comparison of Voluntary and Compliance Markets
- Table 4: Examples of Leakage to Consider for Island-Wide Carbon Strategy
- Table 8: BMP CO₂e Estimations and Project Sizing for Carbon Marketing
Prince Edward Island’s agriculture sector plays a vital role in reducing emissions and building a low-carbon future. This strategy provides a clear, science-backed roadmap for farmers, researchers, and policymakers to adopt effective mitigation practices. By focusing on system-wide initiatives and on-farm solutions, it ensures that sustainability and productivity go hand in hand.
This plan is just the beginning. Continued collaboration, innovation, and investment will be key to meeting PEI’s 2040 emissions targets while strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector. By taking action today, PEI’s farming community can lead the way in sustainable agriculture, ensuring long-term success for future generations.
Download the PEI Agricultural Climate Mitigation Plan
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Economic Impact
The agricultural and agri-food industry is a cornerstone of PEI’s economy, contributing significantly to economic activity, employment, and trade. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the industry’s current landscape, growth trajectory, and economic impact, assessing its direct, indirect, and induced contributions to output, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), labour income, and employment. The findings underscore the industry’s essential role in PEI’s economy and its broader impact on other provinces through supply chain linkages.
Building Resilience
Prince Edward Island’s agriculture sector leads in innovation and adaptation, confronting climate change and economic pressures. This sectoral adaptation plan unites farmers, researchers, and stakeholders to secure farming’s future through actionable strategies, collaboration, and a shared vision for sustainability.
