As the founder of Carbon West, Jennifer believes that "carbon sequestration projects could assist farmers in improving the way they farm, and opening their eyes to the many benefits of working with, rather than against, nature." In our interview, Jennifer shares that her work in agriculture and research into soil carbon sequestration has helped her conclude that taking climate action is "a move towards better agriculture."
Read more from our interview with Jennifer below.
What is Carbon West?
Carbon West is a carbon industry consulting firm focused on promoting climate-friendly carbon development options to landholders. Based in Perth, company founder Jennifer West identified the carbon industry as a means of speeding up the pace of adoption of regenerative farming and the restoration of agricultural soil health. Carbon West now provides advice and services to business, farmers and other organisations around the carbon industry (with a particular focus on soil carbon).
Why is Carbon West taking climate action?
For the many benefits that soil carbon increases bring about in terms of agricultural productivity, food quality, sequestering atmospheric carbon, land restoration, regional communities development, farming viability, mental health of farmers and the overall wellbeing of natural ecosystems.
The relatively new carbon industry has the potential to drive ‘whole of landscape’ changes. Carbon West aims to help facilitate the adoption of carbon farming for financial, social and environmental gains.
How is Carbon West taking climate action?
I am passionate about helping people engage in the carbon industry. In my heart, I am a farmer and a nature-lover. I loved being a sheep farmer in the south-west of Western Australia, but began questioning the high-input, ecologically damaging farming systems which have developed over the past 60 years or so. I am often in awe of natural systems’ power, so started a journey of learning about how farming and natural systems could work together rather than continuing a damaging, costly fight against each other.
I want to bring about change which results in better agriculture. I believe carbon sequestration projects could assist farmers in improving the way they farm, and opening their eyes to the many benefits of working with, rather than against, nature.
Is there a project Carbon West is currently delivering that you are excited about?
CarbonCare is a project Carbon West is delivering for a Perth-based not for profit which strives to restore degraded landscapes by planting trees. This market research projects aims to better understand both the supply and demand sides of the carbon market. Through market research, case study development and stakeholder engagement, CarbonCare aims to bring the many stakeholders in the future carbon farming industry together to help develop relevant, valuable materials to guide its sustainable development.
What real-world opportunities have you uncovered by taking climate action?
My work in agriculture and research into soil carbon sequestration have helped me conclude that taking climate action is not an impost, it’s a significant boon for the agricultural sector. Putting the carbon eroded from our soils back will achieve many productivity, sustainability and ecological benefits. It is a move towards ‘better agriculture’.
What action would you like to see Australia take on climate?
Stop allowing destructive chemical applications on food-producing soils, and fund national education campaigns around fertiliser use efficiency and soil health.