The carbon market in agriculture is opening up major financial opportunities as Vietnam pilots carbon rice projects and aims for one million hectares of low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta. However, the first and most difficult barrier lies in reliably measuring emissions. Tough challenges In the energy sector, measuring emissions is relatively straightforward: electricity output, fuel consumption, and equipment efficiency all have clear data. Emission models are stable and show little variation. Energy is considered a “low-hanging fruit” when it comes to MRV (Measurement – Reporting – Verification). In contrast, agriculture is a much more elusive source of emissions. Methane from rice paddies depends on water levels, flooding duration, rice varieties, soil conditions, temperature, and even the farming habits of individual households. Cultivated land changes constantly with the seasons. Emissions from livestock depend on feed composition, manure treatment systems, and housing conditions. There is no fixed emission factor accurate enough to apply across all cases. That is why MRV in agriculture is considered the biggest challenge. If emissions are not measured accurately, carbon credits will not be recognized on the market. The voluntary carbon market may offer flexibility, but Article 6 of the Paris Agreement does not. To sell ITMO […]
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