Carbon Calculators

About REAF

In early 2024, several organisations came together out of a shared recognition: there was no clear guidance on what constituted robust evidence requirements for recognising reduced emission factors in new “alternative” fertilisers’ in carbon calculators. This challenge was echoed in the ADAS report, which highlighted the uncertainty and inconsistency facing the carbon calculator sector.

It became apparent that robust and consistent carbon footprinting of alternative fertilisers was a wider industry issue, spanning farmers, fertiliser producers, and sustainability platforms alike. To drive a collective solution to address this important gap inhibiting the advancement of a set of potentially important supply chain innovations, a steering committee was formed which led in turn to the establishment of Review of Evidence of Alternative Fertilisers (REAF).

REAF Objectives

REAF aims to:

• Set clear, consistent criteria for evaluating fertiliser product emissions from cradle to factory gate

• Harmonise emissions data used in farm carbon calculators to improve accuracy and comparability

• Accelerate access to reliable data so farmers and industry professionals can make informed, sustainable choices

• Create a robust review process via a standardised template, ensuring all assessments are independent and reproducible

Benefits for Farmers

Farmers can have greater confidence in the emissions data associated with fertiliser products. If a product has been through the REAF review process, its emissions factor has been independently assessed using transparent, consistent criteria, making it a trusted source for carbon footprinting and sustainability planning.

REAF Steering Group

The REAF Steering Group includes representatives from various organisations across the fertiliser industry. While not all members are actively involved at all times, the group benefits from a broad range of perspectives and expertise.

REAF Programme Outputs

The main output will be a checklist or template of requirements for fertiliser product assessments. This tool will help:

• Verification bodies review products against consistent standards

• Carbon calculators determine whether a product’s emissions data meets the necessary criteria before it is included in their system

Next Steps 

While the long-term future of the group is still to be decided, the immediate next step is a 12-week public consultation on the draft checklist. This ensures that feedback from the wider community is included and that the process remains transparent and collaborative.

REAF will remain active for at least the next six months while this consultation is underway. Beyond that, the group may pause or reconvene depending on future needs and industry interest.