In the Field: Agricarbon
With financial viability remaining a top priority for farmers, delivering on sustainability objectives whilst also maintaining returns and improving productivity will be critical to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
As farmers consider the future of their farms and their priorities for investment, Agritech and regenerative agriculture have the potential to be powerful levers. In fact, six in ten farmers that Barclays surveyed plan to adopt new technologies and farming techniques in the near future1.
However, a lack of high-quality data that can showcase sustainability improvements and commercial opportunity to farmers remains a critical barrier to the adoption of these levers2.
Soil carbon measurement: Agricarbon
Agricarbon is able to deliver reliable and consistent direct soil carbon measurement at scale, with innovative soil sampling technology and an automated laboratory process.
In our latest instalment of the ‘In the Field’ series, Barclays’ Cath Wong visited Agricarbon’s site in Dundee to see their technology in practice, which is helping to unlock new revenue streams for farmers.
"Soils represent a vast, untapped carbon sink, and restoring carbon to them is essential for a resilient food system. The industry urgently needs reliable, real-world data on soil carbon – but this doesn’t mean we need to rely on high-risk, unproven sensors or estimation models.
"By reengineering soil sampling and lab analysis with advanced automation, we deliver globally harmonised, high-quality data at lower cost. This accuracy and scale is transforming how farmers can unlock new revenue streams and improve soil health for the future"
- Annie Leeson, CEO and co-founder of Agricarbon
Scaling climate tech
Barclays is enabling Agricarbon’s rapid growth and international expansion, supporting farmers and landowners in unlocking new revenue streams while advancing regenerative agriculture. Our support includes:
Barclays Climate Ventures
Barclays Climate Ventures aims to expedite the growth of climate tech capable of decarbonising high-emitting sectors on a commercial scale. Barclays invested in Agricarbon in December 2023.
Unreasonable Impact
The company has also been supported by Unreasonable Impact, having participated in the bank’s 2024 UK and Europe programme. Unreasonable Impact is a partnership between Barclays and Unreasonable Group which supports high-growth ventures to scale and address global issues, through networks, resources and mentorship.
Barclays Climate Ventures Impact Report 2024
Having successfully completed over 50 investments, Barclays Climate Ventures has enabled half a billion pounds of climate tech investment since 2020.
We provide financial services to a range of sectors including high-emitting industries such as oil and gas. We’re working to reduce the emissions we finance and support clients in the transition; for more information visit home.barclays/climatechange