Australian University Develops System to Measure Farm-Product Sustainability

Researchers at La Trobe University in Australia have developed a Farm‑scale Natural Capital Accounting method that can provide a foundation for sustainability ratings on food and fiber products. Their work on the measurement system, published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, combines production data, remote sensing, ecological modelling and on-ground assessments to deliver transparent and verifiable farm-scale accounts. The method allows farmers to quantify their natural assets—including soil, water, and biodiversity—and their contribution to production through pollination, pest control, forage production, shade and shelter for livestock, and habitat for wildlife. The method also incorporates measures of environmental performance such as greenhouse gas emissions, water‑use intensity, and pollution.