The Risk and Reward of Land-Sector Emissions
In the global fight against climate change, one of the most potent yet often overlooked solutions lies in the land sector. Broadly defined, “land-sector emissions” are the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released from land-based activities in the Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) sector, also known as the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector in the scientific community. Managing FLAG emissions—which represent 22% of the rising global total—could be a game-changer in curbing global warming, as well as protecting biodiversity and preventing deforestation.
However, understanding land-sector emissions requires grappling with a network of interwoven ecological and economic factors. Here’s what you need to know.
Defining Land-Sector Emissions
The land sector comprises activities related to how we use, manage, and change land—think agriculture, deforestation, reforestation, and other forms of land development. When we clear a forest to plant crops or graze cattle, for instance, the carbon stored in that forest is released into the atmosphere, contributing to GHG emissions. Similarly, agricultural practices that use synthetic fertilizers or raise livestock also contribute to emissions, albeit in different ways and at varying scales.
Land-sector emissions primarily come from two sources:
- Land-use change refers to emissions generated when land is converted from one use to another. For example, deforestation—converting forests to croplands or other uses—results in significant carbon-stock losses as the carbon stored in trees and soil is released into the atmosphere.
- Land management encompasses practices on managed land without altering its use. This includes activities like livestock management and the application of synthetic fertilizers, both of which are major contributors to emissions.
These activities collectively drive emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Each of these gases has different sources and impacts:
- CO₂: Released mainly through deforestation and land-use change.
- CH₄: Comes largely from livestock and rice production.
- N₂O: Often emitted from soil when nitrogen fertilizers are applied, contributing to potent GHG effects.
Understanding the complex mix of land-sector emissions helps pinpoint areas where change is most impactful—especially considering the fact that land-based activities contribute nearly a quarter of all global GHG emissions.
Why Land-Sector Emissions Matter for Actionable Solutions
Reducing land-sector emissions is a unique opportunity for multiple reasons. Unlike fossil-fuel-based emissions—which are often challenging to mitigate without significant technology shifts—land-based emissions can be addressed through land use and management. These include reduction of land-use change, reforestation to increase removals, avoiding burning of peat soils, improved agricultural practices, and conservation efforts that protect natural carbon sinks, like forests and wetlands. Curbing land-sector emissions simultaneously reduces our global carbon footprint and invests in the planet’s natural systems that help regulate climate.
Aligning Financial Interests with Nature-Positive Actions
Given the profound implications of land-sector emissions, companies that source from or invest in land are beginning to take action. The world’s largest corporations and financial institutions are increasingly aware that land-based carbon risk can directly impact their financial health—both through the physical impacts of climate change and through tightening regulatory requirements for disclosure and action. FLINTpro equips companies with innovative tools to help navigate this landscape, including generating audit-ready reports aligned to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and identifying actionable opportunities for emissions reductions.
“As policy frameworks evolve and disclosure requirements become increasingly rigorous, businesses that proactively track and manage their land-sector emissions stand to gain a significant business advantage and lower their risk.”
—Tina Morris, FLINTpro Chief Executive Officer
FLINTpro’s Rigorous Approach: Integrating the Best Available Data
Our team, composed of IPCC authors and experts in the GHG Protocol, brings more than two decades of scientific expertise to land-sector solutions. These nature-positive pioneers understand that sustainable land management is only achievable through precise data. To that end, FLINTpro’s platform integrates high-quality data from multiple credible sources with proprietary models that enable companies to assess their land-related emissions, biodiversity impact and dependencies, and deforestation risk.
The science is complex, but the goal is clear: Provide stakeholders with an accurate picture of their land assets’ emissions and impact. In today’s business world, where climate commitments are increasingly scrutinized and regulations are ever-changing, FLINTpro’s high-quality analytics give companies confidence in making decisions that benefit both business and nature.
The Path to a Nature-Positive Future: From Risk Management to Value Creation
Taking action on land-sector emissions isn’t just about reducing risk, it’s also a pathway to creating value. Companies committed to nature-positive principles find themselves aligning with consumer and investor expectations, which increasingly favor brands with strong environmental and social credentials. Organizations that manage their land-sector impacts effectively are also better positioned to identify sustainable revenue opportunities, whether through sustainable agriculture, carbon credits, or biodiversity investments.
FLINTpro’s transparent data solutions make this possible by offering companies the insights needed to protect biodiversity, reduce emissions, and make measurable progress toward a nature-positive future. For organizations that recognize the urgency of the climate crisis, taking steps to address land-sector emissions isn’t just about compliance—it’s a meaningful opportunity to contribute to global efforts that protect the planet for future generations.
Land-Sector Emissions: An Opportunity to Learn, Lead, and Thrive
Land-sector emissions may not always command the same attention as energy or transportation emissions, but they represent one of the most scalable opportunities for climate action today. With its data-driven approach, FLINTpro is leading the way in turning complex land-sector challenges into tangible opportunities.
As global climate goals continue to push for deeper emissions reductions, organizations that recognize the power of land—as both an asset and a responsibility—will be at the forefront of a nature-positive future.
The time to act is now: By reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity, and managing deforestation, we can secure a healthier, more sustainable world that benefits businesses and all living things.
Find out how FLINTpro analytics provide the confidence to navigate the complexities of land-sector emissions—schedule a free demo.