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Characteristics of climate pioneers in agriculture
This Master thesis investigates factors affecting participation of Swiss farmers in an initiative aiming at a reduction of on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. The research is based on a literature review and econometric analysis of (already existing) survey data as well as census data.
Within the Resource Project AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal located in the Canton of Zurich, around 25 farms collaborate to collectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on their farms and in the region(AgroCO2ncept, 2016). Several aspects make this initiative unique:
- Practical on-farm climate change mitigation.
- Collective action and collaboration among farmers.
- Initiation by the farmers (bottom-up).
Why do farmers initiate and voluntarily participate in such a project? Are there certain characteristics of the farm or the individual farmers that distinguish participating from non-participating farmers?
Within the Resource Project AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal located in the Canton of Zurich, around 25 farms collaborate to collectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on their farms and in the region(AgroCO2ncept, 2016). Several aspects make this initiative unique: - Practical on-farm climate change mitigation. - Collective action and collaboration among farmers. - Initiation by the farmers (bottom-up). Why do farmers initiate and voluntarily participate in such a project? Are there certain characteristics of the farm or the individual farmers that distinguish participating from non-participating farmers?
Analyzing census as well as survey data of 106 farmers in the region of Zürcher Weinland, this Master thesis aims to investigate the determinants of participation in collective climate change mitigation using AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal as a case study.
**Research Questions**
- What are factors affecting the adoption of voluntary mitigation measures/ participation in (collective) agri-enviromental schemes in the literature?
- What distinguishes farmers who participate in AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal from other farmers in the region?
**Methods**
- Short literature review
- Econometric analysis of census and survey data
**References**
AgroCO2ncept (2016). AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal - Eine regionale Initiative für den Klimaschutz in der Landwirtschaft. In "Ressourcenprojekt AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal - Antrag ". Verein AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal.
Arbuckle, J. G., Morton, L. W., and Hobbs, J. (2013). Farmer beliefs and concerns about climate change and attitudes toward adaptation and mitigation: Evidence from Iowa. Climatic Change 118, 551-563.
Lastra-Bravo, X. B., Hubbard, C., Garrod, G., and Tolón-Becerra, A. (2015). What drives farmers’ participation in EU agri-environmental schemes?: Results from a qualitative meta-analysis. Environmental Science & Policy 54, 1-9.
OECD (2012). "Farmer Behaviour, Agricultural Management and Climate Change." Organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD), Paris
Analyzing census as well as survey data of 106 farmers in the region of Zürcher Weinland, this Master thesis aims to investigate the determinants of participation in collective climate change mitigation using AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal as a case study.
**Research Questions**
- What are factors affecting the adoption of voluntary mitigation measures/ participation in (collective) agri-enviromental schemes in the literature? - What distinguishes farmers who participate in AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal from other farmers in the region?
**Methods**
- Short literature review - Econometric analysis of census and survey data
**References**
AgroCO2ncept (2016). AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal - Eine regionale Initiative für den Klimaschutz in der Landwirtschaft. In "Ressourcenprojekt AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal - Antrag ". Verein AgroCO2ncept Flaachtal.
Arbuckle, J. G., Morton, L. W., and Hobbs, J. (2013). Farmer beliefs and concerns about climate change and attitudes toward adaptation and mitigation: Evidence from Iowa. Climatic Change 118, 551-563.
Lastra-Bravo, X. B., Hubbard, C., Garrod, G., and Tolón-Becerra, A. (2015). What drives farmers’ participation in EU agri-environmental schemes?: Results from a qualitative meta-analysis. Environmental Science & Policy 54, 1-9.
OECD (2012). "Farmer Behaviour, Agricultural Management and Climate Change." Organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD), Paris
Cordelia Kreft, Agricultural Economics and Policy Group, ETH Zürich, Email: ckreft@ethz.ch
Cordelia Kreft, Agricultural Economics and Policy Group, ETH Zürich, Email: ckreft@ethz.ch