Measuring the impact of soy production is crucial for reducing its carbon footprint. Historically, calculations for soy used in aquafeed relied on generic data that did not accurately reflect responsible farming practices. In 2019, BioMar and ProTerra embarked on a mission to provide science-backed, verified emissions data for key soy ingredients used in aquafeed.
The project faced challenges, including delays in data collection due to COVID-19, which made on-the-ground verification difficult. Despite these hurdles, satellite geospatial verification technology was employed to independently confirm Land Use Change (LUC) over the past two decades. This approach provided more accurate documentation of LUC and a more precise carbon footprint assessment.
BioMar has incorporated this verified carbon footprint data into its BioSustain Life Cycle Assessment tool. The study revealed a significant reduction in the carbon footprint across all three key soy products examined.
These lower emissions are expected to benefit all aquaculture species, with a notable impact on salmon farming where SPC is vital in feed formulation. The reduced carbon footprint of ProTerra-certified soy results in meaningful reductions in emissions per kilogram of farmed salmon.
This initiative also promotes transparency in feed sourcing, assisting farmers in meeting increasing demands from regulators, retailers, and consumers for responsible ingredient choices.
“The dedication of Brazilian soy farmers and ProTerra-certified suppliers has proved that high-quality soy with a lower impact can go hand in hand,” states BioMar. The collaboration between BioMar and ProTerra demonstrates their commitment to building a sustainable feed supply chain that supports both high-performance aquaculture and environmental health.
As the aquaculture industry transitions towards lower-carbon production, Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions will play an important role. These emissions are now tracked under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), originating from land use and agricultural activities rather than energy consumption.
The focus on reducing carbon footprints within the aquaculture industry underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility. While CO2 remains central to climate discussions, other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide may significantly affect the environmental impact of farmed shrimp.