Three Publications on Agricultural Carbon Markets Unveiled at Sustainable Mountain Development Summit 2026
12 October 2026, Srinagar: Three publications focusing on agricultural carbon markets, climate-smart farming and international climate cooperation were unveiled at the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) 2026 in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
The publications were unveiled by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir), in collaboration with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), with endorsement from India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW).
The Ministry will adopt the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) as a foundational safeguard instrument to guide the screening, assessment and management of environmental and social risks associated with agricultural carbon projects under India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
The three publications cover environmental and social safeguards for carbon projects, farmer participation in carbon markets, and government engagement under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. The summit is being hosted by SKUAST-Kashmir from October 12–14, 2026.
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Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, said the publications provide practical guidance on integrating carbon markets into agricultural climate action while protecting ecological integrity and social equity. He highlighted the role of sustainable land management, soil carbon and climate-smart practices in supporting emissions mitigation and climate resilience.
The Environmental and Social Management Framework outlines procedures for identifying, assessing and managing environmental and social risks associated with agricultural carbon projects. Its adoption by MoAFW is intended to strengthen safeguards and align carbon market interventions with national development and climate objectives.
The Farmer’s Guidebook explains how climate-smart agricultural practices can contribute to emissions reduction and carbon sequestration. It also provides guidance on farmer participation in carbon market projects, emphasising informed, transparent and equitable engagement.
The Article 6.2 Toolkit provides guidance for governments, institutions and other stakeholders on cooperative approaches under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. It addresses governance, authorisation, institutional arrangements, environmental integrity and international carbon market cooperation.
George Hodgetts, Policy Manager at VCMI, said high-integrity carbon markets could help mobilise climate finance for agriculture while supporting food security, rural livelihoods and climate resilience. He noted that agricultural climate action remains underfunded despite the sector’s exposure to climate risks and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Ritu Bharadwaj, Director of Climate Resilience, Finance and Loss & Damage at IIED, emphasised the importance of ensuring that farmers understand the terms of participation, receive a fair share of the benefits and are protected from potential risks. She said the publications were developed with VCMI, MoAFW and SKUAST-Kashmir to provide practical guidance on farmer participation, safeguards and Article 6.2 cooperation.
Together, the publications aim to help policymakers, institutions and farming communities assess carbon market opportunities while promoting responsible project implementation, environmental and social integrity, and climate-resilient agricultural development.
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