EDF Supports First Agriculture Offset in Landmark California Climate Program

Contact:
Joaquin McPeek, 916-492-7173, jmcpeek@edf.org

(SACRAMENTO, CA - March 28, 2013) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) issued the following statement today at a California Air Resources Board workshop on the first agriculture offset protocol in the state’s historic program to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, known as climate law AB 32:

“It is critical ARB adopt the rice protocol,” said Robert Parkhurst, director of EDF’s agricultural offsets program. “Doing so will support our farmers in being part of the solution on climate change, create economic opportunity in California, and provide the world a model for how a successful cap-and-trade program works.”

“Representing more than $1 billion in carbon offsets by 2020, agriculture is vital to making the California greenhouse-gas market work and rice farmers are ready to provide offsets to the nearly 400 businesses that must comply with AB 32’s cap-and-trade program.  

“But they need the right signal to know that their efforts will be cost-effective and efficient. Adopting the rice offset protocol can be that sign. It will serve as the gateway to establishing the much-needed agriculture offset market in California, and result in benefits for all participants – the environment, farmers and business.”