Canada launches new research network on sustainable agriculture to support a net-zero economy

May 10, 2023—Ottawa, Ontario—Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Today, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced a funding opportunity for the creation of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Network on Sustainable Agriculture in a Net-Zero Economy, in support of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy. The new research network will bring together social sciences and humanities researchers to mobilize expertise, technologies and practitioners from all sectors to enhance learning in agriculture, climate change and the environment.

The objective of the new research network will be to support knowledge mobilization and research partnerships on the socio-economic impacts of agriculture policies pertaining to Canada’s net-zero emissions targets. The network will also inform approaches to scale up agricultural practices that support Canada’s environment and climate goals.

The new network builds on the recent announcement of a new partnership between SSHRC and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable agriculture initiative supports research to accelerate the development of transformative alternative practices and technologies and their adoption in the agriculture and agri-food sector. It also aims to build reliable and consistent measurement tools and performance metrics as Canada moves toward a net-zero economy.

Investment in research is key to the Government of Canada meeting its ambitious climate mitigation targets to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. By working directly with the agricultural community, researchers will help drive better outcomes for the agricultural sector and position Canada to seize the economic opportunities of a net-zero future.

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Budget 2022 provided NSERC and SSHRC with $100 million in funding for sustainable agriculture research.
• In the agricultural sector, Canada has made commitments to reduce emissions from fertilizer use by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030, and to support the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
• Budget 2022 included a commitment for immediate action toward climate mitigation and to support the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy to support farmers as partners in building a clean, prosperous future.

For more information, contact:

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Media relations
medias@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

Date modified:

2023-05-10