Member publications:
Optimizing the livelihood impacts of smallholder farmer carbon projects – CAP-A
Carbon finance offers underutilized potential to support the adoption of climate solutions among smallholders and local communities. CAP-A recently completed a detailed analysis of solar irrigation and agroforestry adoption among smallholders, which shows that while carbon projects typically focus on financial metrics like subsidies and payouts, the most significant benefits for smallholders are derived from productivity increases, mainly through soil health improvements. Solar irrigation can significantly boost farmer earnings, while agroforestry enhances crop yields via improved soil fertility. These projects, supported by carbon finance, can transform farmer livelihoods, but a broader systemic approach is necessary to maximize their impact.
Farmer.Chat: Scaling AI-Powered Agricultural Services for Smallholder Farmers – Digital Green, Microsoft Research, et al.
Leveraging their open-source Farmer.Chat bot, Digital Green is leading AI development to scale digital extension services for smallholder farmers, and their work is already demonstrating significant potential. This recently published paper, co-authored with Microsoft Research, details how Farmer.Chat helps small and medium-sized agricultural holders by providing personalized, localized farming advice overcoming challenges with traditional extension services. Deployed in four countries, it has served over 15,000 farmers, answering 300,000+ queries. Leveraging generative AI, Farmer.Chat enhances advisory service scalability, relevance, and effectiveness while addressing inclusivity and trust issues.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ land and resource rights in the age of carbon markets – Landesa
As the impact and reach of carbon markets grow, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ (IPLC) land and resource rights must be secured to protect people and the planet. Landesa, a founding member of the CASH Coalition, has collaborated with governments, communities, and other stakeholders in over 66 countries to implement gender-sensitive land rights reforms through legal and policy tools, helping more than 720 million people alleviate poverty, reduce hunger and resolve land-related conflicts. Securing IPLC land and resource rights is a growing area of focus for Landesa and is integral in shaping CASH’s carbon portfolio and collective policies.
State of the Voluntary Carbon Market 2024 and Global Carbon Markets Hub – Forest Trends
Forest Trends market framing publication, State of the Voluntary Market, continues to be the primary benchmark for measuring the development and effectiveness of carbon markets at an aggregate level. While the market contracted for the second consecutive year in 2023 we are encouraged that, agriculture grew as a sector, and projects with co-benefits for nature and communities gained market share. Buyers cited delays in key market initiatives and lack of guidance as reasons for cautious investment. Average credit prices slightly decreased but remain higher than pre-2022 levels.
The Global Carbon Markets Hub, developed by Ecosystem Marketplace (an initiative of CASH member Forest Trends), provides free access to a large database of voluntary carbon market transactions. Users can explore over 20,000 projects and track transaction data from 200+ market participants. The Hub empowers communities, especially in the Global South, by increasing visibility into market dynamics and ensuring high-quality, high-integrity carbon projects that benefit both the environment and local stakeholders.
CASH Publications
Our Farmer Voice Report highlights the crucial role of smallholder farmers in the Global South in addressing climate change and advancing regenerative agriculture. Surveying over 1,600 farmers across ten countries, the report demonstrates that an overwhelming majority are concerned about climate impacts, and many are already adopting regenerative practices. The report emphasizes the need for technical support, market access, and financing to help these farmers scale climate solutions and contribute to global climate goals, enabling them to realize their potential as key partners in climate mitigation efforts.
Catalyzing Credit Where Credit is Due: Carbon concept note
Our vision for realizing the potential of smallholder farmers as agents of climate action and regenerative farming, and the critical role of the voluntary carbon market in supporting them.
Peer-to-Peer Sessions
2024
- AI for Regenerative Agriculture, Digital Green
- Exploring Carbon Readiness for Africa’s Restoration Champions, WRI
- Leveraging Remote Sensing for Smallholder Climate Work, One Acre Fund
- Landesa IP & LC land rights in the context of carbon markets, Landesa
- Financing for Regenerative Agriculture, The Rockefeller Foundation, TIFS, Pollination
2023
- Ecosystem Marketplace, Forest Trends
- Land Rights, Landesa
- The Role of Biological Inputs in Regenerative Agriculture, Proximity Designs
- Net Zero and Insetting, Root Capital
- Addressing Sustainability Due Diligence, SEKEM
- Latest Research on Regenerative Agriculture, One Acre Fund