Can carbon insetting deliver credible sustainability outcomes in forest-risk supply chains? A critical perspective from soy and cattle production in Argentina’s Gran Chaco

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ecological restoration, when implemented effectively and sustainably, contributes to protecting biodiversity; improving human health and wellbeing; increasing food and water security; delivering goods, services, and economic prosperity; and supporting climate change mitigation, resilience, and adaptation. It is a solutions-based approach that engages communities, scientists, policymakers, and land managers to repair ecological damage and rebuild a healthier relationship between people and the rest of nature. When combined with conservation and sustainable use, ecological restoration is the link needed to move local, regional, and global environmental conditions from a state of continued degradation, to one of net positive improvement. The second edition of the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration (the Standards) presents a robust framework for restoration projects to achieve intended goals, while addressing challenges including effective design and implementation, accounting for complex ecosystem dynamics (especially in the context of climate change), and navigating trade-offs associated with land management priorities and decisions. The Standards establish eight principles that underpin ecological restoration. Principles 1 and 2 articulate important foundations that guide ecological restoration: effectively engaging a wide range of stakeholders, and fully utilizing available scientific, traditional, and local knowledge, respectively. Principles 3 and 4 summarize the central approach to ecological restoration, by highlighting ecologically appropriate reference ecosystems as the target of restoration and clarifying the imperative for restoration activities to support ecosystem recovery processes. Principle 5 underscores the use of measurable indicators to assess progress toward restoration objectives. Principle 6 lays out the mandate for ecological restoration to seek the highest attainable recovery. Tools are provided to identify the levels of recovery aspired to and to track progress. Principle 7 highlights the importance of restoration at large spatial scales for cumulative gains. Finally, ecological restoration is one of several approaches that address damage to ecosystems and Principle 8 clarifies its relationships to allied approaches on a “Restorative Continuum”. The Standards highlight the role of ecological restoration in connecting social, community, productivity, and sustainability goals. The Standards also provide recommended performance measures for restorative activities for industries, communities, and governments to consider. In addition, the Standards enhance the list of practices and actions that guide practitioners in planning, implementation, and monitoring activities. The leading practices and guidance include discussion on appropriate approaches to site assessment and identification of reference ecosystems, different restoration approaches including natural regeneration, consideration of genetic diversity under climate change, and the role of ecological restoration in global restoration initiatives. This edition also includes an expanded glossary of restoration terminology. SER and its international partners produced the Standards for adoption by communities, industries, governments, educators, and land managers to improve ecological restoration practice across all sectors and in all ecosystems, terrestrial and aquatic. The Standards support development of ecological restoration plans, contracts, consent conditions, and monitoring and auditing criteria. Generic in nature, the Standards framework can be adapted to particular ecosystems, biomes, or landscapes; individual countries; or traditional cultures. The Standards are aspirational and provide tools that are intended to improve outcomes, promote best practices, and deliver net global environmental and social benefits. As the world enters the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), the Standards provide a blueprint for ensuring ecological restoration achieves its full potential in delivering social and environmental equity and, ultimately, economic benefits and outcomes.

Understanding the Stickiness of Commodity Supply Chains Is Key to Improving Their Sustainability

Agroecology and regenerative agriculture have plenty in common: soil and ecosystem restoration, reliance on biological interactions and ecosystem services, integration of domestic plants and animals, efficient use of the photosynthetic potential of annual and perennial combinations, amongst other principles. One aspect of agroecology that does not always fit comfortably in the realm of regenerative agriculture is political activism, or the place and emphasis that the ‘social’ dimension takes in the definition of the social-ecological system. This is perhaps one of the reasons why agroecology is more closely associated with peasant movements, for whom claims on rights and access to natural resources are urgent. Regenerative agriculture is an approach increasingly – but not exclusively – adopted by commercial, often large-scale farmers or external investors less concerned with e.g. land tenure security or access to water or genetic resources. Is it possible to think about resilience, adaptability or sustainability without considering their overarching political and social dimensions? Here we explore to what extent different types of regenerative agriculture approaches internalise social and political issues, as well as other principles of agroecology, relying on lexical analysis of the scientific literature (n = 647 publications) and on first-hand engagement of the authors in both agroecology and regenerative farming approaches in different parts of the world. Three types of regenerative agriculture (RA) were identified: ‘philosophy RA’, ‘Development RA’ and ‘Corporate RA’, They share in different degrees the ecological and social principles of agroecology, more easily at farm than at community level. By creating tighter links with the science and movement of agroecology, and fundamentally, by engaging in much needed political debates to foster agri-food transitions and transformations, regenerative agriculture will be able to build broader legitimacy among the relevant stakeholders.

To support implementation of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, this report focuses on finance flows and investment needs for restoration. Ecosystem restoration is based on “the process of halting and reversing degradation, resulting in improved ecosystem services and recovered biodiversity” (FAO 2021). Active restoration includes different restoration approaches (World Bank 2022): • Regenerative agriculture: cover cropping, To support implementation of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, this report focuses on finance flows and investment needs for restoration. Ecosystem restoration is based on “the process of halting and reversing degradation, resulting in improved ecosystem services and recovered biodiversity” (FAO 2021). Active restoration includes different restoration approaches (World Bank 2022): • Regenerative agriculture: cover cropping, agroforestry, no-till farming • Forest and landscape restoration: agroforestry, planting of native species • Restoration of aquatic production systems: stream restoration, reintroduction of native species, coral rehabilitation • Ecological restoration: reintroduction of key native animal and plant species, invasive species eradication • Rewilding: reintroduction of key native animal and plant species This report focuses on nature-based solutions (NbS) that can reverse degradation across ecosystems by restoring and sustainably managing land and seascapes. This analysis covers activities that directly contribute to ecosystem restoration as depicted in the boxed area of Figure 1.1, from repairing ecosystem function through regenerative agriculture to full recovery of natural ecosystems. agroforestry, no-till farming • Forest and landscape restoration: agroforestry, planting of native species • Restoration of aquatic production systems: stream restoration, reintroduction of native species, coral rehabilitation • Ecological restoration: reintroduction of key native animal and plant species, invasive species eradication • Rewilding: reintroduction of key native animal and plant species This report focuses on nature-based solutions (NbS) that can reverse degradation across ecosystems by restoring and sustainably managing land and seascapes. This analysis covers activities that directly contribute to ecosystem restoration as depicted in the boxed area of Figure 1.1, from repairing ecosystem function through regenerative agriculture to full recovery of natural ecosystems.

When the amount of biological diversity in an agricultural system is significantly higher than the baseline biodiversity of the surrounding area, the agricultural system itself may be recognized as a biodiversity island. Regenerative agricultural systems, which build and maintain fertility through time, may increase and maintain biodiversity as an integrated component of food production. Increases in biodiversity within an agricultural system can span all biological taxonomic kingdoms and vast numbers of classes and species within each. As such, regenerative agricultural management techniques geared toward harmonizing agricultural productivity and biodiversity conservation can contribute to mitigating or reversing detrimental effects of human impacts on landscapes. Greater diversity through intercropping, companion planting, combinations of perennial and annuals crops, cover cropping, hedgerows and diverse edge plantings, reduced agrochemical use, silvopasture with rotational grazing, and selection of rare, heirloom, underutilized, or diverse genetics allows for biodiversity to harmonize with agricultural production. In landscapes lacking protected areas or intact ecosystems, habitat restoration and preservation within agricultural systems can enable both farm productivity and biodiversity to increase. An integration of restoration and agriculture through farmer managed natural regeneration, rewilding, and incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge as operational management approaches within a regenerative agricultural framework may also achieve such ends. Much of the origins of regenerative agriculture emerged from indigenous practice of food production and traditional ecological knowledge that maintains biodiversity. Examples of regenerative agriculture as biodiversity islands, where farm productivity and improved biodiversity are achieved, span a multitude of crops, regions, and cultures throughout the world.KeywordsAgroforestryCover croppingIntercroppingHabitat restorationHedgerowsReduced agrochemical useSilvopastureTraditional ecological knowledge

Climate change presents a significant challenge to global agriculture, impacting food security, crop productivity, and natural resources. While agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it also holds the potential to act as a carbon sink through regenerative practices. Regenerative agriculture, characterized by sustainable soil management, biodiversity enhancement, and ecosystem restoration, has emerged as a viable solution to mitigate climate impacts. In the context of tea cultivation, which is particularly susceptible to climate variability due to its C3 photosynthetic pathway, achieving carbon neutrality through regenerative agriculture is paramount. However, while soil health management is central, it alone is not sufficient to build climate resilience within a time-bound framework. Plant health management is equally crucial, as it optimizes photosynthate utilization, minimizes pest and disease risks, and ensures better crop performance, a need recognized by the United Nations. Regenerative agriculture should extends beyond soil health management by incorporating plant health principles rooted in both ancient Indian philosophy and modern scientific theories. The Element Energy Activation (EEA) principle behind IRF Technology and the Trophobiosis Theory of Francis Chaboussou are conceptually interrelated. EEA emphasizes the role of plant energy dynamics in maintaining natural resilience, while Trophobiosis Theory highlights how healthy plants, with balanced biochemical processes, exhibit greater resistance to pests and diseases. By integrating these insights, IRF Technology offers a WHOLISTIC approach to plant health management, reducing chemical dependency, enhancing crop productivity, and improving ecosystem resilience. This has been demonstrated in initiatives like the one at Lakhipara Tea Estate, Dooars, where the adoption of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology resulted in increased productivity, reduced pesticide use, and a significant reduction in carbon footprint. In this context, the Agriculture Carbon Footprint Assessor (ACFA) Version 2.0, developed collaboratively by Inhana Organic Research Foundation (IORF) and ICAR-ATARI Kolkata, serves as a groundbreaking tool for accurately assessing carbon footprints in agriculture. This innovative platform enables corporate net-zero compliance, supports ESG objectives, and advances sustainability initiatives by providing precise carbon emissions data and promoting regenerative practices. In the tea sector, the Trustea Emission Calculator (TEC), developed using ACFA 2.0 framework, serves as a pioneering carbon computing tool. TEC offers estate-specific insights by considering agro-ecological variability and management diversity, enabling tea growers to quantify and reduce their carbon footprint effectively. This ensures transparency and accountability in sustainability efforts, supporting carbon-neutral farming and enhancing the resilience of the tea sector. Policy frameworks must integrate regenerative agriculture principles with measurable impact assessments, incentivizing carbon-neutral practices and ensuring their alignment with food security and sustainability goals. By incorporating comprehensive soil and plant health management within a regenerative framework and leveraging tools like ACFA 2.0 and TEC, agriculture can transition from being a contributor to climate change to a key solution, ensuring food security, ecological balance, and long-term sustainability.

The revolutionary impact of regenerative agriculture on ecosystem restoration and land vitality in India delineates the nuances of its principles, practices, and the symbiotic relationship with community engagement and policy frameworks. Regenerative agriculture, a holistic approach prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, water management, and carbon sequestration, emerges as a critical solution to the challenges of soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change faced by Indian agriculture. Through a synthesis of comparative studies and case analyses, this review highlights the tangible benefits of regenerative practices, such as enhanced soil structure, fertility, and microbial health, alongside improved water infiltration and conservation, underscoring the pivotal role of biodiversity in bolstering farm resilience and ecological balance. The narrative further delves into the socio-economic dimensions, examining the economic viability, knowledge dissemination, and the vital role of measurement and verification in scaling regenerative practices. Community and societal engagement, pivotal for fostering consumer demand for regeneratively produced products and collective restoration efforts, is identified as a cornerstone for the transition towards sustainable agriculture. Moreover, the review identifies the need for long-term impact studies to monitor ecosystem changes and assess global scalability. By integrating scientific research with policy analysis, the review advocates for innovations in regenerative techniques, aligned with precision agriculture, and underscores the necessity of supportive policy and economic incentives to catalyze the transition towards regenerative agriculture in India, thereby contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability.

A literature review on agroforestry systems and their importance within regenerative agriculture was carried out using Google Scholar and Google as search tools. The keywords used were agroforestry systems, regenerative agriculture, and environmental and ecosystem services of agroforestry systems. The information collected is solely interpretative, and the data presented are not subject to statistical validation. The main contributions of agroforestry systems to regenerative agriculture include soil restoration, biodiversity conservation, and water management. Their role in supporting reforestation programs in Guatemala is also emphasized, as these programs promote the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment. In addition, species that can be incorporated into the main cover crops of agroforestry systems in Guatemala were identified. Elements are also presented that encourage a conscious internalization of the environmental dimension in the recovery of degraded lands through these systems. At the territorial level, the potential for implementing agroforestry systems in Guatemala is estimated at 27%, with grasslands currently used for livestock production showing the greatest potential.

Transition Design recognises that shifting complex systems towards sustainability and social justice inevitably requires multiple interventions across differing scales and time horizons. Theory of Change is a key element of this, helping transition designers envision, and create pathways to, preferred futures. Much of the Transition Design literature focuses on the transformational power of everyday choices and local-scale community movements, whilst recognising the importance of interconnections between different scales. This requires designers to develop Theories of Change that combine micro-scale changes able to catalyze broader system transitions, with supportive meso-level and macro environments that can sustain micro-scale initiatives. Regenerative agriculture has risen to prominence in several parts of the world in recent decades as a more sustainable approach to farming. Supporting uptake of regenerative agriculture requires a bridging of scales that transition designers can contribute to. While many farming decisions are undertaken individually and enacted at a local farm scale, they are influenced by systems that operate at national or global scales, such as markets, supply chains and regulations, which may have unique local or regional expressions. This tension is reflected in attempts to define regenerative agriculture, which can tend towards either individualistic approaches based around specific practices and farmer mindsets or systemic approaches that emphasise the need for holistic, global-scale changes to our agricultural systems. This article reports on an Australian case study involving ten diverse working groups that helped to inform a Theory of Change for transitioning agriculture to regenerative, equitable, and just futures. The insights generated from working with transition initiatives related to agriculture demonstrate the value of existing frameworks such as Multi-Level Perspective, while also highlighting the importance of the meso scale as an opportunity area in this context and the need to consider scale in a physical and geographical sense within Transition Design frameworks and practices.

The importance and relevance of sustainable development for modern society and the environment are highlighted. The importance of the production of medicinal plants in today's conditions and the need for its development are revealed. The relationship between sustainable development and the production of medicinal plants is revealed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the relationship between the functions of the medicinal plant industry and the goals and objectives of sustainable development. It is noted that the production of medicinal plants has a direct impact on the implementation of environmental goals of sustainable development. Alternative methods of agricultural production are presented, among which regenerative agriculture is singled out. The role and significance of regenerative agriculture and its connection with the production of medicinal plants are revealed. The goals and principles of regenerative agriculture are highlighted. In particular, it is stated: the practical meaning of regenerative agriculture is that farmers use a system of crop rotation, diversify crops and animals, minimize tillage, do not contaminate soil and water with chemicals. It is emphasized that regenerative agriculture as an approach to management is really complex. It envisages not only the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity, but also the improvement of economic performance of agricultural producers. It is revealed that the basic principles of regenerative agriculture correspond to the production of medicinal plants. In this regard, the principles of functioning of the industry of production medicinal plants are also presented. An analysis of «Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine» was made. He confirmed that the need to develop the production of medicinal plants on the basis of regenerative agriculture is extremely important for Ukraine. A set of tools for sustainable development in general and agricultural production in particular has been formed. It is substantiated that the observance of the set of methodological principles of regenerative agriculture and the field of production of medicinal plants can lead to a positive synergetic effect.

ReSET (Restarting Economy in Support of Environment, through Technology) is an EC H2020 research and development project focused on future and emerging technologies (FET) in Environmental Intelligence (EI). EI brings together multiple data streams, employing human reasoning and machine learning to better understand and manage the environment.As part of ReSET, we are developing and deploying distributed networks of in-field sensors to monitor the hydrological impact of natural flood management, regenerative farming and other ecosystem restoration.  These sensor networks use FreeStation.org, low-cost, internet connected environmental sensing and data logging to provide locally specific evidence for the hydrological impact of a range of restoration investments in different locations and at different scales. More than 100 data loggers  have been deployed for 18 months collecting data every 10 minutes. This provides both capacity to directly analyse the effectiveness of investments in water ecosystem services  and co-benefits for non water ecosystem services and helps develop the understanding to better parameterise these restoration investments in spatial models like WaterWorld.  We apply  the WaterWorld Policy Support System  to assess the hydrological impact of novel scenarios for ecosystem restoration at the national and European scale. As well as ecosystem restoration, a  key  focus is regenerative agriculture (RA) which is a land management technique that involves no or low tillage, the use of cover crops and diverse crop rotations to help restore soil structure to a more natural state, encouraging infiltration and reducing runoff generation. This management technique has the potential to increase the water storage capacity of the soil, thereby reducing downstream runoff generation and flood risk..Our local scale monitoring indicates that restoration of Eurasian Beaver habitat and of farmed soil through reduced tillage have the potential to increase flood storage locally and can reduce flood risk at downstream assets if applied at scale. Our national and continental scale modelling indicates that soil and canopy stores are critical to natural flood management since water body and wetland stores have only local influence and floodplain stores often contain important assets that preclude the use of the floodplain.  Ecosystem restoration has the potential to regenerate Europe's waters, but significant effort will be required to reach the level of restoration that will be needed 

The study on the Consequences of Regenerative Farming Techniques on Soil Health demonstrates the significant positive impact of regenerative agriculture on soil quality, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable food production. Practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, minimal or no-tillage, organic composting, and livestock integration were found to improve soil organic matter, enhance microbial activity, and strengthen nutrient cycling. These methods lead to better soil structure, increased water retention, and reduced soil erosion, thereby promoting long-term soil fertility and agroecological balance. Furthermore, regenerative techniques contribute to carbon sequestration, mitigate climate change impacts, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The research emphasizes that these practices not only restore soil health but also foster biodiversity, resilience to drought and floods, and sustainable land management. The outcomes provide valuable insights for farmers, policy-makers, and environmental scientists, advocating regenerative agriculture as a key strategy for achieving climate-resilient, eco-friendly, and productive agricultural systems. Keywords: Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health, Organic Matter, Microbial Activity, Sustainable Farming, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Resilience, Biodiversity, Nutrient Cycling, Soil Fertility.

The study on the Consequences of Regenerative Farming Techniques on Soil Health demonstrates the significant positive impact of regenerative agriculture on soil quality, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable food production. Practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, minimal or no-tillage, organic composting, and livestock integration were found to improve soil organic matter, enhance microbial activity, and strengthen nutrient cycling. These methods lead to better soil structure, increased water retention, and reduced soil erosion, thereby promoting long-term soil fertility and agroecological balance. Furthermore, regenerative techniques contribute to carbon sequestration, mitigate climate change impacts, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The research emphasizes that these practices not only restore soil health but also foster biodiversity, resilience to drought and floods, and sustainable land management. The outcomes provide valuable insights for farmers, policy-makers, and environmental scientists, advocating regenerative agriculture as a key strategy for achieving climate-resilient, eco-friendly, and productive agricultural systems. Keywords: Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health, Organic Matter, Microbial Activity, Sustainable Farming, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Resilience, Biodiversity, Nutrient Cycling, Soil Fertility.

There is an emerging trend towards adoption of regenerative agriculture which is perceived to be more sustainable than conventional agricultural production. This paper introduces the concept, definition and principles of regenerative agriculture and its relevance to the oil palm industry. While there is apparent overlapping of best management practices (BMPs) for sustainable agriculture and regenerative agriculture, the regenerative agriculture philosophy has a stronger focus and emphasis on soil health, the soil-water nexus, biodiversity and integration with livestock. Sustainable agriculture and regenerative agriculture should be regarded as complementary systems and they should not be mutually exclusive. Building on the progress made in sustainable production of palm oil through the various certification systems, growers and supply chain actors should consider opportunities for improvements by adopting regenerative agriculture practices. Keywords: Regenerative agriculture, sustainable agriculture, BMPs, soil health, regenagri.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a devastating effect on the world's agricultural and food security system, impacting production, distribution, and consumption patterns. The government's enforcement of a nationwide lockdown resulted in the halting of industries, which negatively impacted the entire supply chain from producers to consumers. This document explores the repercussions of COVID-19 on the Agro-food system and its economic fallout, emphasizing critical components such as food production, demand variations, price surges, security, and the durability of supply chains. Lockdowns, border closures, and labour shortages led to supply chain disruptions, rising costs of production, and losses, especially for smallholder farmers. Impulsive buying and hoarding led to artificial shortages, shifting consumer attention towards non-perishable and locally produced food items. Globalization placed pressures on trade, increased food vulnerability and, as a result, raised food prices and decreased access to essential agricultural inputs. Despite these barriers, the crisis accelerated the widespread adoption of digital technologies in agriculture, including e-commerce, precision agriculture, and automation. Governments created policies to enhance the resilience of the food supply chain, promote sustainable agriculture, and provide local food production. Long-term recovery plans involve investments in climate-smart agriculture, enhanced logistics, and digital infrastructure to enhance economic resilience and food security. The pandemic highlighted the resilient, long-term food systems that could adapt to the requirements of future global emergencies. Furthermore, the crisis unveiled agricultural labour markets, bearing in mind that controls of seasonal and migrant work rendered them less beneficial. Farmers instead accommodated mechanization, automation, and other emerging systems of farming as they tried to offset the lack of labour. Pressure from consumers on food nutritional value and safety led to the demands for local and organic food. Governments and non-governmental bodies collaborated to enhance food distribution systems in a bid to make vital commodities accessible. Supply chain resiliency was a key agenda, and it led to investments in intelligent logistics, e-marketplaces, and improved warehousing. The pandemic also put the spotlight on local production of food and self-sufficiency, and that has created a shift towards sustainable practices such as regenerative agriculture, hydroponics, and urban agriculture. These are articulations of a long-term transformation in world food systems.