Berry Marttin: How to finance the future of farming

How to finance the future of farming

Agriculture is key to solving the climate crisis, but most farmers don’t have the financial incentive to switch to more eco-friendly practices, says banker and farmer Berry Marttin. He explores how improving the systems around carbon and biodiversity credits could bolster the economic viability of a green transition, offering hope for a world in which sustainable produce is not only possible but also profitable.

Farming fuels over 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and uses 70 percent of the world's water, yet it also offers massive climate potential. Financial risk, slow biological cycles, and unclear carbon markets make green transitions a losing bet for most farmers. One project paid small farmers up to $35 per carbon tonne, showing that the right incentives can make sustainable practices profitable. To unleash this change globally, systems for carbon and biodiversity credits need standards, transparency, and support.