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Carbon farming is an essential tool for reaching Germany鈥檚 net zero targets and should therefore be promoted more strongly by the government, the German Farmers鈥� Association (DBV) . The government should set a framework for recognising agriculture鈥檚 capacity for carbon absorption, as farmers want to 鈥渕ake their contribution鈥� in reaching the country鈥檚 climate neutrality targets, DBV head Joachim Rukwied said. He added 鈥淕reenhouse gas neutrality will only be achievable by 2045 with the recognition of the sector's [carbon] sink performance.鈥� According to the DBV, focus should be placed on production-integrated carbon sinks in addition to the ramp-up of renewable energy and the provision of renewable raw materials.

Carbon sinks are places that absorb more carbon than they release. A strategy for 鈥渢echnical negative emissions鈥� is needed in agriculture to reach climate neutrality, as the sector comes with unavoidable emissions. However, many researchers warn that carbon farming is easily reversible, hard to measure, and could support greenwashing. The EU has introduced a carbon removal certification proposal which, according to the DBV, sets 鈥渁 basic prerequisite for a recognised, scientifically sound and effective accounting of greenhouse gas sinks.鈥� Most scenarios for reaching climate neutrality by mid-century predicted by many researchers and governments 鈥� including that of the (IPCC) 鈥� suggest that carbon removal measures like carbon farming or carbon capture and storage (CCS) will be necessary beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 鈥淭he sustainable production of food and simultaneous provision of carbon sinks is possible and thus offers a strong response to uncertainties of our time,鈥� Rukwied said.