Scaling up
Regenerative
Agriculture –OP2B’s contribution

Regenerative Agriculture

Nevertheless, agricultural systems hold vast potential for
reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, preventing land“Avoiding, reducing and reversing landdegradation is essential for meeting theSustainable Development Goals. Due tothe delay between starting restoration andseeing the full benefits, the window…isestimated to close over the next decade1.”
Ipbes 2019degradation and protecting terrestrial biodiversity. Carried out
in a regenerative way, agricultural production could improve
the livelihoods of more than 1 billion farm workers worldwide.
Regenerative Agriculture is a nature-based solution4 thataims to transition agriculture from being a primary sourceof environmental degradation to a primary source ofregeneration of modified ecosystems.
Scientific research shows that regenerative agriculturalpractices, such as using cover crops or tillage reduction ofperennials, can contribute significantly too.

The current agriculture system provides people globallyWith only nine harvests left until 2030, One Planetwith an abundance of food and beverage products, and has

Business for Biodiversity (OP2B) believes that the moment

improved food security for the most vulnerable groups. Butto act is now, transforming agricultural systems to deliver

this success comes at a considerable cost: as stated in thepositive change.

recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)2
report, agriculture accounts for 70% of global fresh-water use
and a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. According tothe United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO)3, it is also associated with 80% of global deforestation.

A fundamental overhaul of our current global agriculturalmodel towards regenerative practices is needed, to ensure
the world’s growing population can be fed, and to securecontinued economic prosperity. This transformation will only
be possible through the involvement of all stakeholders,embarking on the journey with common objectives and1 Ipbes, The Assessment Report on Land Degradation and Restoration. 2019
2 IPCC, Climate Change and Land. 20193	FAO – News Article: Productive and healthy forests are crucial for
meeting sustainable development, climate, land and biodiversity goals
4 IUCN Global Standard for NbS | IUCN

through developing a common set of metrics for RegenerativeAgriculture to ensure consistency in implementation.

The framework’s ambition
Scaling up Regenerative Agriculture will take time andinvolve partners from all stages of the value chain. Theambition of the framework is to enable companies to:• Support the transition of land, farms and farmers
to a Regenerative Agriculture approach• Report on progress within corporate value chains• Drive continuous improvements across the industry
by sharing results and experiences

It aims to provide alignment on:

Our approach
Using a collaborative, science-driven approach and inclose partnership with farming groups, scientists and civilsociety, OP2B has developed a suggested Regenerative
Agriculture framework with a set of objectives and impact
indicators and a process to measure impact.
This comprehensive process included:• How to act: the four mutually reinforcing objectives
that shall be addressed when implementing orassessing a Regenerative Agriculture strategy• What to monitor: a set of science-based impact
indicators for measuring and achieving progress
and impact• When and what to report: a roadmap to help
partners report against targets• 50+ working sessions with members andexternal partners• Shared expertise of more than 20 partners
and 15 member company practitioners

OP2B acknowledges that it is only the beginning ofthe journey. Visible impact will take time. Continuous
collaboration with farmers and stakeholders along the• Leveraging more than 20 existing Regenerativevalue chain will be essential to making change happen,

Agriculture frameworks, featuring more thanand show progress. OP2B will continue to support the150 potential indicators

evolution of the framework accordingly.

The framework embodies the efforts of all stakeholders

This is OP2B’s ongoing contribution to supporting aand aims to provide consistency across the industry,

global agricultural transition.

enable regenerative farming practices, inform corporate
strategies and provide an essential process for measuring
impact in a transparent way.

The four key objectives of Regenerative Agriculture• Protecting and enhancing biodiversity
at and around farms• Improving or preserving carbon and water retention
in the soil, leveraging the power of plants, livestock
and agricultural practices• Enhancing the resilience of crops and nature, while
decreasing pesticide and fertiliser usage• Supporting the livelihoods of farm communities

Pesticideusage (EIQ)

rt &B’set Ba s e line, Target s &e,Reriti

2. S

Fertiliser usage(NUE)

urioseFarmer household
annual income(tbc)6

e

asOP2
Pr

Based on practices in the field and available
data and knowledge, this framework proposes using
the following indicators to assess progress5:

epo

to r s of S ucc

Trackssca

Blue water
withdrawals(m3/ha)eDecreasepesticide andfertiliser usage

ltu r

Supportfarminglivelihoods

Int&• Supporting the livelihoods offarm communities

Protect &enhancebiodiversity

Improvesoil water &carbon
retention

diKey social
indicators for farmcommunity (tbc)6r p re• Enhancing the resilience of crops
and nature, while decreasing pesticideand fertiliser usage

1 . I nt e

• Improving or preserving carbon andwater retention in the soil, leveraging
the power of plants, livestock andagricultural practices

A

Soil organiccarbon content(tons ofcarbon/ha)

Number ofcrops per ha per
crop cycle

Percentage ofnatural habitats(% per km2)

tiveicu• Protecting and enhancing biodiversity
at and around farms

mo r Re ge n e r agr

OP2B and partners aligned on the following
objectives as the most relevant to assesswhen scaling up Regenerative Agriculture
practices across supply chains:

FraThe framework – in practiceewforkAc tM
3.

1. Soil organic carbon content (tons of carbon/ha)
2. Blue water withdrawals (m3/ha)
3. Number of crops per ha per crop cycle
4. Percentage of natural habitats (% per km2)
5. Pesticide usage – Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ)
6. Fertiliser usage – Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)
7. Farmer household annual income (tbc)
8. Key social indicators for farm community (tbc)

As Regenerative Agriculture is a systemic approach, thefour objectives and eight indicators are not to be taken
individually. The ambition of this model is to find equilibrium
between the four objectives, adapting to differences in soil,culture, landscapes, or farm structure. Hence, there is avalue in measuring the eight indicators in parallel, enablingcompanies to fully implement Regenerative Agriculture.

5 A s for some indicators it will take time until there is visible impact. OP2B has also identified shorter-term proxies for key indicators:– Implementation of key practices (e.g. low tillage, crop rotation, cover crops) as a proxy to 1. Soil organic carbon content– Water management plan coverage as a proxy to 2. Blue water withdrawals– Implementation of integrated pest management practices as a proxy to 5. Environmental Impact Quotient
6 Indicators on farm communities to be further investigated as part of joint work between OP2B and partners

Moving forward

About OP2B

This framework represents a first attempt at fostering

One Planet Business for Biodiversity (OP2B) is a uniquealignment and enabling acceleration of the transition.

coalition of leading businesses that are committed toMore collaboration, on-the-ground experimentation,transforming agriculture to protect and restore biodiversity

and research will solidify the framework.

and farmer livelihoods. We are working to achieve thisAre you interested in supporting the transition toRegenerative Agriculture? If so, consider:• Utilising the framework, or testing it against your approach• Contributing to the framework by sharing your on-theground experience• Spreading the word by promoting the framework in yourthrough promoting Regenerative Agriculture, productdiversification and the protection of high-value ecosystems.
We recognise that systemic transformation cannot beachieved by businesses alone. Supported by a rigorous andscience-driven approach, OP2B engages constructively withpolicymakers, institutions and supply chain actors to initiate
action at scale.

networks and social media
Please follow @OP2B_OnePlanet for updates
Learn more about OP2B and get intouch by visiting https://op2b.org