American Farmland Trust
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2010)
Reporting Period: 2010
Environmental Metrics
Water Consumption:34 million acre-feet/year (agricultural use)
ESG Focus Areas
- Food Security
- Regulatory Burden
- Water Management
- Labor
- Invasive Species
- Land Conservation
- Environmental Stewardship
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Regional Markets
- Farmer Succession
- Agricultural Research
Environmental Achievements
- Increased irrigation efficiency (crop per drop)
- Widespread adoption of beneficial management practices (e.g., integrated pest management, rotational grazing)
Social Achievements
- Increased food contributions to food banks (90 million pounds in 2009)
- Efforts to improve food safety without compromising environmental quality
Governance Achievements
- Convening of workshops and advisory committees to address challenges facing California agriculture
- Development of strategies for improving regulatory processes and reducing burden on producers
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Cultivate next generation of farmers
- Promote agricultural research
Medium-term Goals:
- Assure adequate water supply
- Secure sustainable agricultural workforce
- Expand environmental stewardship
- Promote renewable energy
- Adapt to climate change
- Promote regional markets
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce hunger and malnutrition
- Expand participation in food assistance programs
- Reduce regulatory burden
- Improve water use efficiency
- Control invasive species
- Conserve agricultural land and water resources
Environmental Challenges
- Food insecurity for one in six Californians
- High regulatory burden on agriculture
- Inadequate water supply for agricultural purposes
- Farm labor shortages
- Invasive species
- Loss of agricultural land to urban development
- Climate change impacts on agriculture
Mitigation Strategies
- Increased participation in food assistance programs
- Regulatory reform to reduce duplication and cost
- Improved water management practices and infrastructure
- Federal immigration reform
- Comprehensive strategy for invasive species detection, exclusion, and control
- State policy to conserve agricultural land and water resources
- Adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Reduced water supplies
- Increased plant heat stress
Opportunities
- Development of climate-resilient crops and practices