Ibrahim Mohammed What is carbon intensity? Why does it matter for your grain farm? WHAT IS CARBON INTENSITY (CI)? Think of Carbon Intensity (CI) as the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint associated with producing one unit of a specific product. For grain farmers, this usually means the total GHG emissions linked to growing one bushel of corn, soybeans, or wheat or producing one megajoule (MJ) of energy if that grain becomes biofuel. The CI score is the specific number that quantifies this intensity. It's typically measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ) for fuels or sometimes adapted to a per-bushel basis for grain. A lower CI score is better, indicating lower GHG emissions associated with production. A score of zero implies carbon neutrality for that unit of production. HOW IS A CI SCORE CALCULATED? Calculating a CI score isn't just about one factor; it involves a lifecycle assessment. This means looking at the GHG emissions generated (and potentially carbon sequestered) across various stages: You might be hearing more talk about "carbon intensity" or "CI scores" lately, especially in relation to biofuels and sustainability initiatives. While it sounds technical, understanding carbon intensity is becoming increasingly relevant for Ontario grain farmers navigating new market demands and environmental considerations. So, what exactly is it? Inputs: includes emissions from manufacturing inputs like nitrogen fertilizer (which is very energy-intensive to produce), pesticides, and seeds. Field operations: fuel used for tillage, planting, spraying, and harvesting; emissions from the soil (like nitrous oxide from fertilizer application); changes in soil organic carbon due to tillage or cover cropping. Transportation: moving inputs to the farm and grain from the farm. (Potentially) processing: emissions associated with drying grain or processing it into other products (though this is often calculated further down the value chain). Sophisticated models are used for these calculations. In the U.S., the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model is frequently referenced. In Canada, ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 14
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQzODE4