Nori - Balancing Farmers' and Buyers' Needs

Nori balances the interests and concerns of both sides of the carbon market

Carbon markets are becoming increasingly popular. Nori does its best to balance the concerns of buyers and farmers within its marketplace. Central to this effort is the question of permanence. Generally speaking, carbon permanence refers to the length of time that carbon remains stored in a reservoir, such as soil. In the Nori marketplace, carbon permanence depends on methodology and is rooted in buyers’ and farmers’ desire for a certain and livable future. By helping both sides understand each other, Nori creates a marketplace that is beneficial for all.

Carbon removal practices

Nori addresses buyers’ and farmers' concerns over the permanence and continued management of carbon sequestration.

Nori Values Farmers’ Expertise and Trusts Them to Make Informed Decisions

Nori knows farmers are modern day superheroes. Despite unpredictable fluctuations in commodity prices and weather conditions, at the end of the day, farmers find a way to make it work.

We also know that farmers possess the local knowledge and specialized expertise to make tough decisions. That’s why Nori’s Regenerative Tonne agreement doesn’t take decision-making away from the farmer. We leave it to the farmer to decide how and where they adapt carbon removal practices based on what’s right for their enrolled fields to keep the carbon in the ground.

Nori Adapts Carbon Removal and Permanence Timelines Based on Methodology

Carbon removal is the only way to reverse climate change. Any removed CO2 should, therefore, be adequately stored so it cannot return to the atmosphere. Importantly, however, no single solution exists for carbon removal and permanence. Instead, permanence is highly dependent upon methodology requirements. In our US Croplands Methodology, Nori currently asks farmers to store removed carbon in their soils for a minimum of ten years.

In the future, as new methodologies become available, Nori anticipates that it will use the best data available to meet the peer-reviewed standards for that methodology.

Persistence:

Continuing practices

Nori addresses both parties' concerns over responsibility and contract length.

Nori Respects that Farmers Have Various Relationships to the Land They Farm

Farming cultivates an intimate and personal relationship with the land. Nori knows that the soil-scapes across the country are as diverse as the farmers who grow on them. Whether that means we serve farmers who rent their land, farmers who have an informal agreement with friends or family, or multi-generational farmers, our US Croplands Methodology aims to benefit farmers.

For example, suppose a renting farmer has to leave the project for any reason prior to the ten-year mark. In that case, the farmer may assign another contact to take responsibility for the project and continue carbon sequestration.

Nori Believes Addressing Farmers’ Underlying Concerns Will Create Long Term Carbon Permanence

Nori’s contractual length of carbon sequestration is dependent upon methodology requirements. In all cases, Nori will do its best to ensure the agreement is reasonable for both buyers and suppliers.

In the case of the US Croplands Methodology, Nori understands farmers’ concerns lie in the restoration of their soil health and the financial incentives available to them, not short-term “gaming” of the carbon market system.

Permanence:

Carbon stays removed

Buyers and farmers want permanent carbon sequestration. Nori works to ensure the outcome is mutually beneficial for both parties.

Nori Wants to Help Farmers Benefit from Carbon Markets

Carbon markets are becoming increasingly popular, both nationally and abroad, as more people recognize that the only way to reverse climate change is through carbon removal. Bolstered by public sentiment, a growing number of companies are looking to offset their emissions.

Nori is with farmers for the long haul. We believe in carbon removal, and more importantly, we believe that through continued stewardship and carbon sequestration, the land will become resilient and reliable for generations to come. New farmers in Nori’s US Croplands Methodology can be issued grandfathered Regenerative Tonnes for past carbon removal. Nori simply requires verification of continued carbon retention.

Nori Trusts that Securing Farmers’ Futures also Secures the Planet’s Future

Nori’s experience with the US Croplands Methodology has demonstrated that farmers are first and foremost concerned with improving their land and livelihood. As a result, farmers are not incentivized to abandon their regenerative practices at the end of the ten-year contract.

Farmers benefit from buyers’ support in two ways: first, they can continue feeding a growing population, and second, through carbon sequestration, farmers diversify their income stream, thus gaining an additional buffer against already tight profit margins.

Nori critically assesses stakeholders’ concerns when planning for the future

Nori’s marketplace will remain as dynamic as the environment which it aims to improve. As projects reach completion, Nori will collect data on supplier practices and perform internal reviews to ensure the continuing validity of its claims.

In our US Croplands Methodology, Nori’s intention is to improve farmers’ circumstances upon entering our marketplace by issuing them Regenerative Tonnes for continuing existing practices.

Current stakeholders will determine what Nori’s marketplace looks like in the future. Nori strives to be upfront and transparent in its communication, and therefore, Nori will adjust its future practices as more data becomes available.

Recommended Resources

Growing a better future together

Get an overview of our commitment to Growers and which regenerative practices qualify for the Nori Marketplace.

Reach your business climate goals faster

Learn about the 5 major elements of the Nori Marketplace and the steps we take to ensure high quality carbon removals.

High quality carbon credits with process-based modeling

We chose process-based modeling to calculate our Regenerative Tonnes because it’s grounded in real data, calibrated and validated by soil samples, and accessible.

How Regenerative Tonnes are generated