US trade group the Organic Trade Association is urging the Biden Administration to put organic at the centre of its climate-forward Build Back Better framework.
As world leaders, including the US President, gather in Glasgow for the COP26 Summit, OTA CEO and executive director Laura Batcha, said: “Organic has always stood at the vanguard of sustainability. Today, our sector leads global efforts toward more sustainable farming, greener building, and less extractive economies. By eliminating the use of chemical inputs like synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, organic sets the standard for climate-smart agriculture. Organic farms emit 18 percent less overall greenhouse gasses (GHG) than other agricultural systems and organic soil sequesters 26% more carbon than non-organic.
“We applaud the Administration’s efforts to dramatically reduce our nation’s GHG emissions, bolster rural economies, and to encourage sustainable farming and production practices in this framework.
“The Administration’s Build Back Better framework would set the United States up for success at COP26, positioning our nation as a standard bearer of sustainability and conscientious policy making. By starting this work in our own backyard, we can enter the COP26 negotiations in good faith, knowing that we are doing everything possible to stem the global climate crisis. OTA encourages Congress to take swift action on these critical proposals, and we look forward to continuing to helping the organic community advance climate-smart practices at home and abroad.”
