Estrategia nacional de EE. UU. sobre contabilidad del capital natural

Responsible Alpha apoya a la Oficina de Gestión y Presupuesto (OMB) de la Casa Blanca, en nombre de los copresidentes del Grupo de Trabajo de Política Interinstitucional sobre Estadísticas para Decisiones Ambientales y Económicas (Grupo de Trabajo), la Oficina de Política Científica y Tecnológica (OSTP) y el Departamento de Comercio (DOC) en el desarrollo de cuentas de capital natural para todo el gobierno y estadísticas ambientales y económicas estandarizadas.

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Felicitamos a la OMB y a otras entidades que han presentado el primer borrador de cuentas de capital natural para Estados Unidos. No valorar adecuadamente el recurso de capital natural de una nación ha llevado a un uso excesivo y mal uso de estos recursos que han empujado al mundo más allá de muchos de los límites planetarios1 en la naturaleza que la humanidad necesita en equilibrio para un entorno que le permita prosperar. Aunque la necesidad de valorar y preservar la naturaleza puede surgir con el fin de disfrutarla por derecho propio, la preservación del capital natural también es de gran importancia económica, ya que aproximadamente la mitad del PIB mundial depende directa o indirectamente de la naturaleza.

Estamos de acuerdo con la OMB al declarar que el capital natural o los activos naturales, los servicios ambientales o ecosistémicos que generan y los gastos para asegurar y proteger la naturaleza son elementos fundamentales del progreso y el crecimiento económicos, las oportunidades futuras y el desarrollo sostenible.

Medir los activos naturales y mantener series estadísticas puede servir de base para las herramientas de planificación de la economía estadounidense. Los inversores, las empresas, las ONG, los reguladores y otros grupos han demostrado un interés creciente en desarrollar metodologías de contabilidad del capital natural, y el sector privado ha mostrado una demanda creciente de datos sobre el capital natural para reducir la incertidumbre y garantizar la competitividad. Por lo tanto, existe una demanda de que el liderazgo federal de Estados Unidos desarrolle cuentas de capital natural y estadísticas ambientales y económicas estandarizadas para proporcionar un marco interno centralizado y promover normas internacionales.

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The steady growth of both global and regional markets demonstrates the financial viability and scalability of regenerative agriculture. As depicted in Figure 1, the consistent upward trend provides a compelling case for policymakers, private investors, and agricultural stakeholders to prioritize regenerative practices as a sustainable and profitable solution for the future.

Scope and Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the obstacles to adopting regenerative agriculture and to propose practical strategies for overcoming them. It aligns with global sustainability objectives, including the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while also considering the role of regional initiatives like the U.S. Climate-Smart Commodities Program and the European Union's Farm-to-Fork Strategy, as outlined in Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: Economic and Policy Considerations and the Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture.

Key Challenges

Market Failures: Traditional economic analysis often undervalues the societal and ecological benefits of regenerative systems. Ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity are rarely quantified or factored into decision-making processes, creating a gap in understanding their long-term value, according to Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: Economic and Policy Considerations.
Barriers to Adoption: Small-scale farmers face financial and technical challenges, including limited access to regenerative technologies, funding, and education, which restrict their ability to transition to these practices. As discussed in Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture, these barriers are particularly evident in regions where subsidies and financial incentives favor conventional farming.
Policy Fragmentation: Disparate regulatory frameworks hinder coordinated efforts to promote regenerative systems, making it challenging to standardize practices such as soil health management and carbon credit systems. Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture highlights how fragmented policies at the national and regional levels create inconsistencies in implementation and investment.

Opportunities for Value Creation

Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum across North America, with both Canada and the U.S. witnessing significant market expansion. While both regions share common drivers, such as increasing consumer demand for sustainable products and government incentives, key differences exist in policy frameworks, adoption rates, and investment patterns.

Figure 2: North America Regenerative Agriculture Market Growth (Source: Apollo Reports).

Figure 3: Canada’s Regenerative Agriculture Market Growth (Source: Apollo Reports).

Market Growth in North America

The North American market for regenerative agriculture has been steadily expanding, driven by corporate sustainability commitments, increased investor interest, and government-backed programs such as the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Program. Large-scale food producers and retailers have begun integrating regenerative supply chains, with financial incentives accelerating adoption.

Sector-Specific Growth Trends

Agroforestry, silvopasture, and aquaculture/ocean farming currently dominate regenerative agriculture in North America.
By 2033, agroforestry is expected to decline slightly from 19.2% (2023) to 17.5%, indicating a shift in investment priorities.
Meanwhile, biochar and holistically managed grazing are seeing the fastest growth, projected to increase from 8.6% to 9.5% and 9.4% to 10.7%, respectively (Figure 3).
No-till and pasture cropping are also expanding, growing from 10.3% to 11.7%, reflecting broader adoption among large-scale farmers.

Economic Growth and Investment

The North American regenerative agriculture market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.02% through 2033, indicating strong long-term confidence in the sector.
The U.S. leads in private sector investment, with agribusiness firms funding soil health initiatives and carbon credit programs, particularly in the no-till and agroforestry segments.

Market Growth in Canada

Canada’s regenerative agriculture sector is also growing steadily, though adoption rates remain slightly lower than in the U.S. due to differences in policy incentives and financial structures. Programs like Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) Program are crucial in driving adoption by supporting on-farm climate mitigation practices.

Sector-Specific Growth Trends

Agroforestry and silvopasture are the dominant practices, with agroforestry currently at 19.4% of the market share, projected to decrease slightly to 17.8% by 2033 (Figure 10).
Holistically managed grazing and no-till cropping are expected to see the highest growth rates, increasing from 9.5% to 10.9% and 10.5% to 11.9%, respectively, aligning with government incentives toward sustainable grazing and soil conservation.
Biochar and diversified cropping systems are also growing, reflecting Canada's emphasis on carbon sequestration projects.

Market Expansion and Investment

The Canadian regenerative agriculture market is projected to reach $178.1 million by 2033, with a CAGR of 12.65%, surpassing the North American average.
Unlike the U.S., where corporate-driven regenerative supply chains dominate, Canada’s government plays a stronger role in direct funding, particularly in carbon sequestration projects.

Comparing U.S. and Canada

Table 1: Comparing U.S. and Canada.

Both the U.S. and Canada are experiencing significant growth in regenerative agriculture, but their approaches differ. The U.S. market is primarily driven by corporate investment, with agribusinesses and ESG funds playing a central role in scaling regenerative practices. In contrast, Canada’s growth is largely government-led, with direct funding and policy incentives supporting adoption. Despite these differences, both regions are seeing increasing adoption of no-till farming and grazing-based systems, reflecting a broader shift toward sustainable agricultural methods. Looking ahead, the Canadian market is projected to outpace North America’s overall growth rate, with a CAGR of 12.65% compared to 12.02% in the U.S., signaling a deepening commitment to long-term sustainability and climate resilience.

Global Context

The transition to regenerative agriculture aligns with global sustainability frameworks, including the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). These commitments emphasize the urgency of climate-resilient agricultural systems that enhance food security while mitigating environmental degradation.

To accelerate this transition, national and regional initiatives have been established to bridge financial and policy gaps. In the United States, the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Program provides targeted funding to support farmers in adopting climate-smart practices. Meanwhile, in the European Union, the Farm-to-Fork Strategy—a core component of the EU Green Deal—focuses on reducing pesticide use, improving biodiversity, and expanding organic farming initiatives. Together, these initiatives reflect the growing recognition of agriculture’s central role in achieving global sustainability goals.

Market Failures

A key challenge limiting the adoption of regenerative agriculture is the dominance of short-term economic frameworks that prioritize immediate financial returns over long-term environmental and societal benefits. Traditional economic models often fail to quantify the full value of ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, improved water filtration, and enhanced biodiversity, leaving these critical benefits undervalued or entirely omitted from decision-making processes.

As highlighted in Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: Economic and Policy Considerations, this disconnect between economic evaluations and environmental realities creates a market failure, discouraging investment in regenerative practices. Without accurate financial incentives or policy mechanisms to reflect the true economic value of ecosystem restoration, policymakers and investors remain hesitant to support widespread adoption. Addressing this gap will require revised valuation models, market-driven solutions, and policy interventions that align economic incentives with sustainable agricultural transformation.

Barriers to Adoption

Based on research from Scaling Regenerative Agriculture: Economic and Policy Considerations and Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture, several key challenges hinder the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture. These barriers can be broadly categorized into economic, policy, and technological constraints, each playing a role in shaping farmers' decision-making.

Economic Barriers

One of the most significant challenges is the high upfront cost associated with adopting regenerative practices. Farmers often face financial uncertainty when transitioning away from conventional farming methods, as regenerative systems require investments in new techniques, such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and agroforestry. Additionally, current market structures tend to prioritize short-term profitability over long-term sustainability, discouraging investment in regenerative systems. Many financial models fail to account for the long-term benefits of improved soil health, water retention, and biodiversity, leading to limited access to financing and credit for farmers looking to make the shift.

Policy and Regulatory Barriers

Inconsistent government policies and subsidies create a fragmented policy landscape that does not consistently incentivize regenerative practices. Many agricultural subsidy programs still favor conventional farming techniques, making it financially unattractive for farmers to transition. Additionally, the lack of standardized carbon credit markets and insufficient financial incentives for ecosystem services further deter adoption. Clear, long-term policy commitments are needed to provide stability for farmers and investors looking to support regenerative agriculture.

Technological and Knowledge Gaps

A major barrier to adoption is the lack of technical knowledge and access to data-driven tools that help farmers transition effectively. Many regenerative techniques require specialized knowledge of soil health management, crop rotations, and biodiversity integration. Furthermore, limited access to real-time agricultural data, decision-support tools, and technical assistance makes it difficult for farmers to implement and scale regenerative practices successfully. The adoption of precision agriculture and sustainability tracking systems could help address these challenges, but widespread accessibility remains an issue.

Overcoming These Barriers

Despite these challenges, targeted policy reforms, financial incentives, and education programs can accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture. Aligning economic, policy, and technological solutions will be critical in scaling regenerative practices, ensuring both financial viability and environmental sustainability for the agricultural sector.

Scaling regenerative agriculture requires overcoming financial and policy barriers, ensuring that incentives and market structures reward long-term sustainability. JPMorgan ESG Flash Note (2024) emphasizes that carbon pricing mechanisms and investment in ecosystem services can accelerate adoption.

Table 2: Regenerative Agriculture Framing.

These measurable benefits underscore the importance of scaling regenerative practices by removing economic, policy, and technological barriers. By supporting farmers through financial incentives, knowledge-sharing programs, and standardized policy frameworks, regenerative agriculture can be integrated into mainstream markets, fostering long-term sustainability and resilience.

Opportunities for Transformation

The long-term financial case for regenerative agriculture is strengthening, with increasing evidence that regenerative practices improve farm profitability. Cost-saving measures like no-till farming and cover cropping not only reduce reliance on synthetic inputs but also enhance land resilience, leading to more stable yields and lower input costs over time.

To strengthen the business case for regenerative agriculture, advanced sustainability metrics—such as carbon sequestration valuation and ecosystem service modeling—can provide investors and policymakers with measurable outcomes. These tools enable a data-driven transition, demonstrating that regenerative practices are not just environmentally beneficial but also financially viable in the long run.

Quantifying Benefits

Environmental and Economic Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture

The USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative is a major federal initiative supporting the transition to regenerative agriculture. With an investment of $3.1 billion across 141 projects, the program incentivizes climate-smart practices such as cover cropping, no-till farming, rotational grazing, and agroforestry. It also incorporates Indigenous knowledge and sustainability practices, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to soil health and carbon sequestration. The program aims to reduce agricultural emissions while enhancing farm profitability and building climate resilience.

Figure 4: USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative – Project Investments and Environmental Impact.

Additionally, USDA projects emphasize climate resilience and emissions reductions. Over the projected lifetime of these initiatives, an estimated 60 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent will be sequestered, a reduction comparable to removing 12 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road for one year. This underscores the critical role of regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices in global climate mitigation efforts.

Beyond environmental benefits, climate-smart agriculture enhances producer resilience by reducing input costs. Many projects focus on improving soil health, optimizing fertilizer use, and increasing drought resistance, leading to lower operational costs and higher long-term profitability for farmers. Farmers who adopt cover cropping and no-till farming report notable reductions in input costs, while also enhancing soil fertility and water retention.

These measurable benefits highlight the economic and environmental viability of transitioning to climate-smart and regenerative agricultural systems. By aligning financial incentives with sustainability goals, USDA’s initiative sets a precedent for integrating regenerative agriculture into mainstream markets while ensuring long-term agricultural resilience.

Case Studies: Diamond Family Farm

Case studies such as the Diamond Family Farm provide a localized perspective on the benefits of regenerative practices. Through their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, the farm has reduced reliance on large-scale supply chains while fostering stronger ties to local communities. This approach not only supports environmental goals but also creates a sustainable economic model for small-scale farmers, ensuring their profitability and resilience to external market pressures.

The quantifiable improvements in water retention, carbon sequestration, and supply chain resilience underscore the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture. By aligning environmental stewardship with economic incentives, these practices provide a clear pathway for governments, private investors, and farmers to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

Rising Consumer Demand

Global consumer preferences are increasingly shifting toward organic and sustainably produced foods, driven by growing awareness of the environmental and health impacts of conventional agriculture. According to Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture, the global organic food market is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, fueled by demand from environmentally conscious consumers and higher-income demographics. This trend presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses to differentiate their products through sustainability certifications and regenerative practices that align with evolving consumer expectations.

Leadership-driven investments are also playing a pivotal role in advancing regenerative agriculture. The Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate Summit highlights how innovative approaches and leadership—especially from women—are catalyzing progress in this field. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, including private sector leaders, the AIM for Climate Summit showcases the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving climate-smart practices that address consumer demands while mitigating environmental challenges.

Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder collaboration is essential for bridging gaps between policy, practice, and community needs. A compelling example of this is the work of the Minnesota Food Association (MFA), which empowers local communities to adopt regenerative agricultural practices. Through workshops and tailored support, MFA helps immigrant farmers learn sustainable farming methods suited to local conditions. This collaborative model promotes local food systems and demonstrates how grassroots efforts can complement larger initiatives. By aligning community needs with regenerative practices, MFA creates a pathway for empowering small-scale farmers and advancing sustainable agriculture.

These examples underscore the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture when supported by leadership, collaboration, and rising consumer awareness. By combining stakeholder efforts with innovative practices, the agricultural sector can meet growing demand for sustainable food systems while fostering long-term resilience and environmental stewardship.

Technological Innovation

Emerging technologies provide significant opportunities for scaling regenerative agriculture. According to Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI) can monitor soil health, optimize crop rotations, and predict weather patterns, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions for efficient resource management. Similarly, precision irrigation systems can reduce water usage by targeting specific areas, conserving resources, and preventing overwatering. In addition, remote sensing and satellite technologies allow for landscape-level tracking of regenerative practices, providing real-time data to inform management decisions.

Pilot projects that incorporate these technologies can serve as proof of concept, demonstrating their feasibility and effectiveness in real-world conditions. As highlighted in Strategic Pathways for Advancing Regenerative Agriculture, these initiatives showcase how combining cover cropping with precision irrigation can enhance yields while reducing water use and emissions. Such projects build stakeholder confidence and create scalable models for adoption across different agricultural contexts.

Recommendations

Policy Harmonization

Harmonizing policies across regions and countries is essential for creating a cohesive framework to advance regenerative agriculture. Fragmented policies create barriers to adoption, as farmers and stakeholders face inconsistent rules and incentives. The lack of standardized carbon credit systems across U.S. states limits the scalability of carbon markets. Implementing unified soil health benchmarks, such as organic matter content and water retention capacity metrics, would provide measurable goals for farmers and policymakers alike. Standardized frameworks would also enable cross-border carbon trading systems, aligning efforts to sequester carbon and reduce emissions with global climate goals. Greater policy standardization simplifies compliance, reduces confusion, and fosters greater participation in regenerative initiatives.

Strategic Funding

Financial barriers remain one of the biggest challenges for farmers transitioning to regenerative practices. Governments can address this by offering targeted subsidies for cover cropping, composting, and rotational grazing. Funding programs could also support farmers in acquiring drought-resistant seeds, building infrastructure for rotational grazing, or implementing precision irrigation systems.

Beyond direct subsidies, governments could establish loan guarantees or public-private partnerships to lower financial risk for smallholder farmers. Strategic investments in renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar-powered irrigation systems, could further reduce operational costs while promoting climate-smart agriculture. In India, for instance, subsidies on drip irrigation systems have successfully reduced water use while increasing yields in arid regions. A similar approach in regenerative agriculture could showcase economic viability, encouraging adoption across diverse geographies.

Regional Collaboration

Agriculture's environmental and economic impacts often transcend borders, making regional collaboration vital. Watershed-based partnerships could coordinate efforts to reduce nutrient runoff, improving water quality in shared rivers and lakes. These collaborations can also tackle cross-border issues like pest control and soil erosion by aligning policies and resources.

The Chesapeake Bay Program in the U.S., which brings together multiple states to combat water pollution, serves as a model for how regional partnerships can effectively tackle shared challenges. Expanding such frameworks to support regenerative practices could ensure that efforts to rebuild ecosystems and sequester carbon are scaled efficiently and effectively.

Supply Chain Innovations

Corporations hold significant influence in driving regenerative agriculture by transforming their supply chains. Companies like General Mills have committed to sourcing from farms using regenerative practices, signaling a broader shift in the industry. By working with suppliers to implement diversified cropping systems, no-till farming, and agroforestry, corporations can reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing supply chain resilience.

Innovations in supply chain traceability tools, such as blockchain, can further improve transparency, allowing companies to communicate their sustainability efforts to consumers and investors. This not only builds trust but also helps companies mitigate risks associated with climate change, such as supply disruptions due to extreme weather.

Market Differentiation

Consumer demand for sustainable products has grown substantially, with surveys showing that shoppers are willing to pay premiums for goods produced using ethical and environmentally friendly practices. Companies adopting regenerative principles can leverage this trend by earning certifications such as "Regenerative Organic" or "Climate-Smart."

For instance, Patagonia’s regenerative agriculture initiative not only strengthens its brand image but also attracts environmentally conscious consumers. Businesses can further differentiate themselves by offering detailed product labeling that highlights sustainability metrics, such as carbon sequestration or water savings achieved through regenerative practices.

Investments in Innovation

Advancing research and development (R&D) in regenerative agriculture technologies can unlock new opportunities for scalability and efficiency. Emerging AI-powered soil sensors and drones for monitoring crop health are revolutionizing resource optimization and yield enhancement.

Corporations investing in pilot projects for these technologies can demonstrate their effectiveness, driving adoption across the agricultural sector. Additionally, partnerships with research institutions can accelerate breakthroughs in regenerative agriculture. For example, Google’s AI collaboration with agriculture organizations showcases how tech companies can contribute to solving complex challenges in regenerative farming, such as predicting water needs or identifying soil nutrient deficiencies.

Grassroots Empowerment

NGOs play a critical role in bridging the gap between top-down policies and grassroots implementation. By developing training programs tailored to local contexts, NGOs can empower small-scale farmers to adopt regenerative practices. For example, composting workshops can teach farmers how to recycle organic waste into valuable soil amendments, while agroforestry training can help them diversify income streams by integrating fruit-bearing trees into their crops. These programs not only enhance the economic viability of regenerative practices but also build farmer confidence by showcasing practical benefits such as improved yields and reduced input costs.

Successful examples of such initiatives include Heifer International’s agroforestry programs in East Africa, which have helped smallholder farmers increase their incomes while improving soil health. Adopting similar models could enable NGOs to scale regenerative practices globally, ensuring that farmers in diverse regions can benefit from these innovations.

Capacity Building

Field demonstrations and workshops provide hands-on opportunities for farmers to witness the benefits of regenerative agriculture. For example, demonstrating the impact of cover cropping on soil health through pilot plots can persuade skeptical farmers of its value. These demonstrations also serve as platforms to share best practices, such as integrating livestock into crop rotations to improve nutrient cycling.

Additionally, NGOs can foster community collaboration by facilitating farmer cooperatives or peer-to-peer learning networks, enabling knowledge sharing and collective problem-solving. These efforts not only build capacity but also create a sense of shared ownership, encouraging widespread adoption of regenerative practices.

Facilitation of Partnerships

Collaboration is a cornerstone of advancing regenerative agriculture, and organizations specializing in sustainability are uniquely positioned to facilitate partnerships across sectors. By connecting governments, corporations, and NGOs, these organizations create platforms for shared learning and co-creation of solutions. For example, they can bring together stakeholders to align public policies with private sector investments, ensuring that efforts are mutually reinforcing and impactful.

Governments benefit from partnerships that provide technical expertise and funding for large-scale initiatives, such as climate-smart agriculture programs. Corporations gain access to knowledge networks and tools for integrating sustainability into their operations, while NGOs leverage partnerships to amplify their grassroots efforts. Collaborative projects, such as pilot programs for agroforestry or rotational grazing, showcase the potential of regenerative practices and encourage broader adoption

By fostering these partnerships, sustainability-focused organizations build ecosystems of trust and cooperation, accelerating the transition to resilient, regenerative agricultural systems that benefit all stakeholders. This ability to align diverse interests and facilitate collaboration is a key factor in achieving transformative change.

Call to Action

The urgency of transitioning to regenerative agricultural systems cannot be overstated. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation are accelerating at an alarming pace, threatening global food security and the livelihoods of millions. Regenerative agriculture offers a proven pathway to address these challenges, fostering resilient ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, and a healthier planet. However, realizing its full potential requires immediate and coordinated action from governments, corporations, and civil society.

Organizations with expertise in sustainability and data-driven analytics are uniquely positioned to drive this transition. By providing tailored solutions that integrate policy, technology, and stakeholder needs, such organizations enable decision-makers to design and implement impactful, scalable strategies. Whether it’s quantifying the carbon sequestration potential of regenerative practices, optimizing supply chains for sustainability, or fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations, these efforts ensure that initiatives are both effective and measurable.

Stakeholders are encouraged to engage with organizations that bring deep expertise, actionable insights, and a commitment to measurable progress. By leveraging advanced analytics, facilitating partnerships, and delivering customized strategies, such organizations can empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and accelerate the transition to regenerative systems. Now is the time for bold action and collaboration to create a sustainable future for all.

Join this transformative effort and take the next step toward regenerative agriculture. Together, we can build systems that not only sustain but regenerate, ensuring long-term resilience and prosperity for generations to come.

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