To generate a carbon credit, a producer must demonstrate a metric ton of C02 (or its equivalent in greenhouse gases (GHG)) was sequestered in soil because of the farmers’ efforts. Seems simple enough, but there is usually another requirement called “additionality” that makes this more challenging for many farmers already implementing conservation practices.

The question this article asks is who, if anyone, should control the framework around the agriculture’s carbon market. Let’s examine the possibilities from laissiz faire to complete state control.