Why Carbon Accounting Is Important for the Future of Floriculture
Horticulture and floriculture have been built on the ability to tap into the rich resources of nature. Environmental assets like clean water and healthy soil are essential for a thriving industry, and these resources are deeply impacted by climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe weather events pose significant risks, leading to soil degradation and decreased water availability. As such, it is crucial that those in the sector preserve the foundation upon which their businesses are built, not only for their own success and growth but also for the world around them.
Carbon accounting can help floriculture companies measure the amount of carbon dioxide their processes remove from or emit into the environment. By adopting sustainable practices, floriculture businesses can contribute to carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are essential components of the broader fight against climate change.
To support this effort, Sustainabloom’s Carbon Accounting Guide can help growers, wholesalers, retailers and florists, transporters, and suppliers become more educated about how they can assess and control their carbon footprint, no matter where they are in their sustainability journey.
Assessing and Mitigating
When creating the guide, researchers first looked at why businesses within the floriculture industry should prioritize carbon accounting.
Researchers Amanda Solliday and Dr. Melinda Knuth of the Department of Horticultural Sciences at North Carolina State University used a combination of academic studies, industry-leading reports, and their own expertise to provide an in-depth look at the ways businesses may be contributing to climate change and the advantages carbon accounting can provide in mitigating those occurrences.
They begin with a detailed look at the effects of carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas and the largest contributor to human-induced climate change, as well as other greenhouse gases. Industry members learn the way their processes may be contributing to climate change, whether through the burning of fossil fuels, the clearing of forested land, or their production practices. In plant cultivation, those processes can include the use of pesticides, nitrogen-based fertilizers, and transportation.
The guide helps industry members understand the two-fold benefit of carbon accounting, promoting its advantages in business growth and expansion while also caring for the environment. Additionally, this resource offers information specifically for growers regarding carbon markets. Growers can learn how these carbon-trading initiatives, which require carbon accounting practices, can create additional revenue streams for their business.
Steps to Solutions
Every business has a role to play in building a more sustainable floral industry. Whether just beginning or looking to advance current practices, Sustainabloom’s Carbon Accounting Guide can help growers get there with confidence and act as a roadmap of where to start.
The first step is gaining a better understanding of how emissions are categorized. The researchers present the information in an easy-to-understand format, using information drawn from MIT’s Climate Portal. Businesses learn the difference between Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and where those emissions are generated. The guide also offers suggestions for businesses to lower emissions in each of the scopes.
Businesses can also learn about tapping into technology-advanced tools developed by academic, professional, and private company entities to help them successfully assess their emissions. From there, businesses are encouraged to communicate with consumers about their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Other highlights of the guide include industry spotlights that detail how floriculture members are approaching carbon accounting efforts and a wide-ranging list of government grants and funding to help businesses with sustainability goals.
With practical tools, real-world examples, and accessible guidance, this tool can empower floriculture businesses to take meaningful, measurable steps toward a more resilient and climate-conscious future.
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