New resources published to support high-integrity agricultural carbon markets in India
Agricultural Carbon Markets in India Receive Boost with Ministry-Backed Framework for Farmers and Policymakers
Three new practical publications focused on carbon markets, climate-smart agriculture and Article 6.2 launched at Sustainable Mountain Development Summit 2026
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir | 12 October 2026 – A trio of tools aimed at strengthening high-integrity carbon markets, sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient development in India have been launched at the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit.
The three publications, endorsed by India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW), were unveiled by the 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). The MoAFW will adopt the Environmental and Social Management framework set out in one of the publications as a foundational safeguard instrument to guide the screening, assessment, and management of environmental and social risks associated with agricultural carbon projects registered and operationalised under the national Carbon Credit Trading Scheme.
The trio of publications provide practical guidance on assessing carbon market opportunities in the agriculture sector, explain the benefits of climate-smart agriculture to farmers, and support governments to engage via Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. All three were launched during the Inaugural Session of the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) 2026, being hosted by SKUAST-Kashmir from 12–14 October 2026.
“Agriculture lies at the heart of both the climate challenge and the climate solution. Indian farmers are on the frontline of climate risk, but they also hold the key to mitigation through sustainable land management, soil carbon and climate-smart practices. These three publications turn that potential into practical guidance: safeguards so carbon markets do not come at the cost of ecological integrity or social equity, a guidebook that helps farmers take part and benefit, and a toolkit for credible Article 6.2 cooperation,” said Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Agriculture is the primary economic sector in many of the countries most exposed to climate risk, with great potential to host carbon market projects that support the transition to more resilient practises. However, until now, agriculture has traditionally been overlooked by carbon credit markets despite the significant opportunity to use carbon projects to support food security, water retention, smallholder resilience, and reduced flood risk.
“Climate action in agriculture, especially in emerging markets and developing economies, is severely underfunded despite the sector’s exposure and its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions,” said George Hodgetts, Policy Manager at VCMI.
The first of the three publications, the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), provides practical guidance for identifying, assessing and managing environmental and social risks associated with carbon-market projects in the agriculture sector. It supports stronger safeguards, responsible project implementation and greater integrity in carbon-market interventions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare’s (MoAFW) policy endorsement of the framework reflects the Government of India’s commitment to ensuring that agricultural carbon market interventions are implemented responsibly, equitably, and in full alignment with national development and climate objectives. The Ministry supported the project by providing the essential governmental framework and inter-institutional coordination to anchor this ESMF within India’s evolving national carbon market architecture, most importantly, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
The Farmer’s Guidebook presents an accessible and practical manual for farmers and agricultural stakeholders. It explains how climate-smart agricultural practices can contribute to emission reductions and carbon sequestration and provides guidance on farmer participation in carbon-market projects. The Guidebook seeks to improve farmers’ understanding of carbon markets while supporting informed, transparent and equitable participation.
The Article 6.2 Toolkit provides strategic and practical guidance for governments, institutions and other stakeholders considering participation in cooperative approaches under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement in India. The Toolkit addresses key considerations relating to governance, authorisation, institutional arrangements, environmental integrity and the development of credible international carbon-market cooperation.
Together, the three publications offer complementary tools for translating carbon-market opportunities into practical approaches that can support sustainable land management, environmental and social safeguards, climate-smart agriculture and resilient rural livelihoods.
“Carbon markets will only work for farmers if they understand what they are signing up to, get a fair share of the benefits and are protected from the risks,” said Ritu Bharadwaj, Director, Climate Resilience, Finance and Loss & Damage, at IIED.
The publications aim to support carbon market engagement that maintains high environmental and social integrity, ensuring that local communities and farmers are meaningfully included in project design and implementation.
ENDS
About the Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS 2026)
SMDS 2026 brings together political leaders, policymakers, representatives from Himalayan states and Union Territories, scientists, academics, practitioners, civil society organisations and mountain-development institutions to advance dialogue on sustainable and climate-resilient development across mountain regions. The Summit seeks to move beyond identifying mountain-development challenges towards strengthening governance and policy frameworks for mountain regions. Key themes include ecological security, climate resilience, watershed restoration, sustainable livelihoods and risk-informed development. Deliberations around the proposed Sustainable Mountain Development Policy for Jammu and Kashmir will form an important part of the Summit. With participation also expected from institutions such as the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and high-level representation from Nepal and Bhutan, SMDS 2026 provides an important regional platform for exchanging perspectives on mountain development, climate resilience, and sustainable land-use approaches.