Reuters – McDonald’s Corp set a new target to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, from the beef in its burgers to the light bulbs in its restaurants. The burger chain also said it was working with the nonprofit Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to revamp its existing climate change targets. […] Read more
Tag Archives Environment — page 16
McDonald’s targets net greenhouse gas emissions drop
Tracking environmental gains on farms
Ecological Outcome Verification aims to take the marketing out of farm environmental assessment
Years of researching how to get the most out of the pastures on his Cayuga-area beef farm eventually left Cory Van Groningen frustrated. “One book says only take the top sward and leave the rest to regrow; another book says use high-intensity grazing and trample it down; another book says take a third of the […] Read more
Carbon sink efforts in a race against time
Industry has less than 10 years to make major technological changes as it attempts to meet emission reduction targets
Glacier FarmMedia – It’s theoretically possible to turn Canadian agriculture into a net carbon sink for emissions as early as 2030, but producers would have to quickly overcome numerous challenges, says a researcher. “We’re at the edge of a cliff,” said Joy Agnew, associate vice-president of applied research at Olds College in Alberta. “We need […] Read more
Beef advised to play to its environmental strengths when sharing story
Consumers need to hear more about the positive relationship between beef and grasslands, experts say
As environmental concerns and social pressures prompt people to change buying behaviours, more products are under scrutiny, particularly beef. “Beef is one of our most beloved foods. From fast food to backyard barbecues to steakhouses, we have a relationship with beef that is deep and long-lasting,” said Bob Froese, chief executive officer of Bob’s Your […] Read more
Farmers push back against Chatham clear-cut bylaw
Municipality says council intended to prevent aggressive cutting as wider environmental policy changes are discussed
A Chatham-Kent bylaw banning the clear-cutting of woodlots and woodlands has generated frustration and feelings of exclusion in policy development among some Chatham farmers. Passed by municipal council on April 26, the temporary, 120-day bylaw pertains to wooded landscapes more than half an acre in size, and a specified density of trees. It comes as […] Read more
Guelph professor studies technology to curb agricultural emissions
Curbing chemical emissions of agricultural carbon dioxide and ammonia to mitigate climate change is the goal of a University of Guelph researcher who recently received $200,000 under the New Frontiers in Research Fund. Leanne Chen, professor in the chemistry department, hopes to develop a clean technology that uses renewable electricity to convert waste chemicals into […] Read more
EU countries approve deal to overhaul farming subsidies
Subsidies to focus on sustainability, 'eco-schemes'
Brussels | Reuters — European Union countries on Monday gave the green light to reforms of the bloc’s huge farming subsidy program, after a three-year battle over rules to make it greener and support smaller farms. Negotiators representing the EU’s 27 countries and European Parliament struck the deal on Friday to reform the Common Agricultural […] Read more
Report calls for industry leadership on plastics
Legislation splits plastics into different categories of toxicity and could affect farm-level plastic use
Proposed amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) are likely to change the national landscape for plastic food packaging. According to Martin Gooch of Value Chain Management (VCM), if significant changes aren’t made before Royal Assent, the bill’s well-intentioned aim to decrease the overall environmental impact of food – from farm to table – […] Read more
Livestock sector has a history of decreasing emissions
Science Notes: The intensity of emissions is decreasing, but regional differences remain
A new study shows that emission intensity per unit of animal protein produced has decreased globally over the past two decades due to greater production efficiency. Despite concerns about the environmental cost of livestock production, the global appetite for animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy continues to grow. Following the recent revision of […] Read more
Opinion: Energy agency report has consequences for agricultural producers
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) widely publicized report on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve global targets further bolsters the case that more needs to be done in agriculture to combat climate change. Producers, as the report notes, can’t be excluded from that effort. Released last month, the report lists 400 actions that will be […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
