REDUCING CO2 AND NOISE EMISSIONS

Air quality is something that affects everyone, but the farming industry also has to deal with the issues of greenhouses gases and noise pollution. A variety of technological solutions are on hand to help farmers in these two respects.

When it comes to reducing CO2 emissions, turning to electrical machinery is one solution, and replacing helicopters and tractors with drones for some applications is in fact an improvement on both counts, resulting in a reduction in both emissions and noise pollution (see page 23). In Valais, the ValNature cooperative has launched a huge vineyard machinery electrification project, initially developing prototype sprayers and later electric tracked tractors. One sprayer is now being commercially produced by the Swiss company Birchmeier.

Agolin (Canton of Vaud) has developed a feed additive that reduces methane emissions from livestock. This product could be a game changer when it comes to the Confederation’s 2030 Agenda and Net Zero Emission goals, given that livestock is the biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the farming industry. This natural product aids the animals’ digestion, which also improves their welfare (see page 91).

In Neuchâtel, the start-up Infrascreen is working on a new generation of thermal screens that reduce the amount of heating required in greenhouses. These screens result in lower CO2 emissions from greenhouses, which are often heated using gas. With this system, emission reductions can be as high as 40%, while crop yields have been shown to increase by 15% (see page 89). The Beelong indicator developed by EHL Hospitality Business & Hotel Management School in Lausanne is a way of evaluating the environmental impact of foods on a scale from A to E. The idea behind the scheme is to provide the restaurant industry and food buyers with environmental information about food products, enabling them to make better-informed choices. It is also a good way for farmers to promote the benefits of locally produced food, which is likely to achieve a better Beelong score than foods produced on the other side of world – particularly from the point of view of carbon emissions.

Staying on the subject of promoting the value of different foods, the Zurich-based company Eaternity has developed a nutri-score system that enables foodstuff producers to evaluate the environmental footprint of their products.

Companies like Magic Tomato in Geneva are working to make an impact locally by providing a home delivery service for orders placed with partners in their local network. This approach provides small-scale food growers with an additional short-circuit outlet for their produce, which has a positive impact on CO2 emissions. Magic Tomato has plans to expand the concept to a wider area, possibly in the form of franchises to ensure that the concept remains local and carbon efficient.