The greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems have a significant impact on global climate change, accounting for about 22% of global carbon emissions [1]. Pesticides (plant protection products) are essential to agricultural production, and they are the second-largest source of carbon emissions in agriculture after fertilizers [2], making their carbon footprint a focal point of attention. Additionally, pesticides include a variety of chemical products such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators, and the pesticide industry is an important branch of the chemical industry, thus its carbon emissions are also subject to regulations within the chemical industry.
As a crucial part of the agricultural supply chain, the low-carbon development of the pesticide industry not only affects its own sustainable development but also closely relates to the green development of agriculture and global climate change. This article reviews the low-carbon practices of global leading pesticide companies such as Syngenta, Bayer, Corteva, and BASF, and discusses the future development trends in the industry.
01 Overview of carbon emission targets of leading global pesticide companies
Agricultural systems are not only contributors to greenhouse gas emissions but should also be part of the solution to climate change. Leading global pesticide companies have already implemented carbon reduction actions and set carbon emission targets. As shown in the diagram, companies such as Bayer, BASF, FMC, and Sumitomo Chemical have all set net-zero emission goals, including:
📍 Bayer: The company aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3. Bayer’s Crop Science division has set an independent goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% per kilogram of crop by 2030. Notably, in early 2025, Bayer updated its SBTi targets, advancing its goal to 2029 [3].
📍 BASF: BASF aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, covering Scope 1 and 2, and incorporated Scope 3 "Category 3.1 Raw Material Procurement" into its goals in 2023.
📍 Corteva: Corteva set its net-zero emission target for 2035, covering the entire value chain.
📍 Sumitomo Chemical: Sumitomo Chemical has set a target for net-zero emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 2050.
From the carbon emission targets set by these companies, it is evident that leading pesticide companies are already focusing on and managing carbon emissions in their value chains, with an increasing emphasis on Scope 3 emissions.
Scope 3 emissions: These refer to all other indirect emissions in a company’s value chain, excluding direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from energy consumption (Scope 2). These emissions can be categorized into upstream and downstream Scope 3 emissions, including purchased goods and services (e.g., raw materials, packaging, additives), business travel, employee commuting, the use of sold products, transportation, and distribution, investments, leased assets, and franchising.
Some companies are also working on managing Scope 3 emissions. For example, Syngenta plans to set Scope 3 carbon emission targets and start implementing them in 2025 for its Crop Protection and Seeds business units. Nufarm plans to conduct a Scope 3 carbon assessment by 2026. Anhui Minda started calculating its entire supply chain's carbon emissions in 2020, and its 2023 estimates showed that Scope 3 Category 1 "Purchased Goods and Services" accounted for 80% of its total emissions. Additionally, Anhui Minda conducted structured surveys on carbon emissions and sustainability for key suppliers to ensure accountability and transparency.
In FMC's Scope 3 emissions, purchased goods and services account for 74%, image source: FMC 2023 Sustainability Report
Managing Scope 3 emissions has become a necessary step for pesticide companies to set scientifically based long-term carbon goals. From a supply chain perspective, since Scope 3 emissions often stem from upstream and downstream supply chains (e.g., upstream raw materials and downstream transportation), the carbon performance of supply chain partners will become a key procurement criterion. In other words, lower-carbon raw materials, packaging, and transportation services will be more competitive in the market and prioritized by pesticide companies for procurement. For example, FMC focuses on its direct chemical suppliers and prioritizes the procurement of greener, lower-carbon materials as a key strategy to reduce Scope 3 emissions.
02 Leading Green and Low-Carbon Practices of Pesticide Companies
In addition to setting strategic carbon targets, optimizing energy structures, implementing energy-saving upgrades, managing product carbon footprints, achieving carbon-neutral products/factories, innovating low-carbon packaging materials, and collaborating with growers for carbon reduction are also key areas where pesticide companies practice green and low-carbon initiatives.
Optimizing energy structures & technological energy-saving upgrades
From a production operations perspective, optimizing energy structures and implementing technological energy-saving upgrades are key measures for reducing carbon emissions.
For example, in ADAMA, the Shandong plant saved 83,821 tons of CO₂ equivalent by upgrading steam and power generation equipment and using frequency converters and insulation systems in 2023. The Anbang plant saved 941 tons of CO₂ equivalent by adjusting its fire retardant production system, while the Huifeng plant reduced CO₂ emissions by 2,123 tons through steam pipeline optimization. Overall, the absolute value of greenhouse gas emissions in Chinese plants decreased by an average of 16%.
Source: ADAMA ESG report 2023
Product carbon footprint management
Pesticide companies usually treat product carbon footprint management as a priority task. By managing product carbon footprints, companies can understand the sources of carbon emissions and take targeted actions to reduce carbon emissions.
For instance, BASF offers carbon footprints of its pesticide products to customers. The product carbon footprint includes all greenhouse gas emissions related to the product, from raw material procurement to energy consumption in the production process, and from the moment the product leaves the factory to its delivery to customers.
Source: BASF
Corteva, for example[4], has taken a series of effective measures to promote climate-positive development. The company is committed to launching crop protection products with sustainable advantages and differentiation, helping farmers increase crop yields while reducing carbon intensity. One example is the Rinskor™ herbicide, which, compared to traditional herbicides, reduces usage by up to 150 times. This means it could potentially help avoid more than one million tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions over the next five years.
Source: Corteva
Carbon-neutral products/factories
Some companies are currently developing and promoting carbon-neutral pesticide products. These products use low-carbon production processes and renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions during production and achieve carbon neutrality through carbon offsets. In addition to pesticide products, carbon-neutral seed products are also being introduced to the market. For instance, UPL produced the world’s first commercialized carbon-neutral wheat seed, which has a carbon footprint of 0.77 kgCO₂eq per kilogram, half the global benchmark value.
Carbon-Neutral Wheat Seed, Image Source: UPL 2023 ESG Report
“Carbon-Neutral Factories/Zero-Carbon Factories” refer to industrial production sites that achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout their entire production process by using renewable energy, implementing energy-saving measures, and offsetting emissions with carbon credits. For example, Syngenta’s Kunshan Zero-Carbon Factory integrates green practices into its production management process, from packaging upgrades to precision equipment operation and green supply chain management. The zero-carbon factory not only reflects Syngenta’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability but is also an important step in advancing the low-carbon transformation of the entire agricultural supply chain.
Syngenta Kunshan Factory, Image Source: Syngenta Official Website
Low-carbon innovation in packaging materials
Green innovation in R&D is also a key direction for reducing product carbon footprints, such as developing low-dose, high-load pesticides. Besides raw materials, reducing carbon emissions in packaging is another focus for many pesticide companies.
For example, ADAMA reduced plastic and transportation needs by using new product packaging. In 2023, the company launched a 1L rectangular container, which saves 10% of plastic compared to round containers, can accommodate 45% more product in the same space, and significantly reduces transportation needs. This reduced transportation-related carbon emissions by 17.2% or 340 tons of CO₂ annually[5].
Source: ADAMA official website
Sumitomo Chemical also reduced plastic usage in product packaging and increased the use of recycled materials to achieve packaging light-weighting and recyclability, thereby reducing the environmental impact of products, particularly carbon emissions.
Source: Sumitomo Chemical Sustainability Report 2024
Collaborating with Growers for Carbon Reduction
To unlock the carbon reduction potential in the downstream agricultural supply chain, collaborating with growers for carbon reduction is an important initiative for pesticide companies to demonstrate their environmental responsibility.
For instance, Bayer Carbon Program allows farmers to receive financial rewards for implementing verified practices (such as cover crops and reduced tillage) that capture and store more carbon. The Bayer Carbon Program is directly linked to the company’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30% per kilogram of crop by 2030.
By 2030, carbon emissions per kilogram of crops will be reduced by 30%, Source: Bayer Crop Science Sustainability Progress Report
In addition to Bayer’s carbon program, which develops initiatives like “farm carbon sinks,” many other companies have launched collaborative carbon reduction projects worth referencing.
For example, in 2023, Corteva partnered with Bunge and Chevron to launch a commercial collaboration aimed at integrating Corteva’s unique hybrid winter canola varieties into growers’ crop rotation cycles. These oil-rich canola seeds serve as high-quality feedstock for biofuels. This collaboration not only provides essential raw materials for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production but also creates an additional revenue stream for growers.
Nufarm has also engaged in cross-industry collaborations for carbon reduction. In 2024, Nufarm signed a joint development agreement with BP to advance biomass oil technology, addressing the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Under the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, SAF currently accounts for about 0.5% of the EU’s global jet fuel supply. The EU mandates that by 2025, at least 2% of fuel at EU airports must be SAF, with a progressive increase to at least 20% by 2035 and a minimum of 70% by 2050. This partnership reflects Nufarm’s strategic approach to working with major downstream partners in tackling global climate challenges and navigating carbon-related regulations.
03 Green and low-carbon development trends in the agrochemical industry
Whether it involves setting strategic carbon reduction targets, optimizing energy structures, implementing technological energy-saving upgrades, managing the carbon footprint of products, achieving carbon-neutral products and factories, innovating low-carbon packaging materials, or collaborating with growers to reduce emissions, industrial synergy in carbon reduction and decarbonization across the supply chain is the only way forward for the green and low-carbon transformation of agrochemical enterprises and the industry.
FMC's Carbon Reduction Roadmap, Source: FMC 2024 Sustainability Report
From the upstream of the industry chain, raw material suppliers will be required to adopt lower-carbon processes and technologies to produce and provide low-emission raw materials. Agrochemical companies will also strengthen cooperation with raw material suppliers to jointly conduct carbon footprint accounting and emission reduction initiatives, ensuring low-carbon procurement practices.
In the downstream sector, agrochemical enterprises will work closely with agricultural producers and growers to promote low-carbon agricultural practices, improve pesticide use efficiency, and reduce pesticide waste and overuse, thereby cutting emissions from agricultural production. Additionally, logistics companies will adopt more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation methods and equipment, such as using electric transport vehicles and optimizing transportation routes, to reduce carbon emissions during product distribution.
It is worth noting that the agrochemical industry is a key segment of the broader chemical sector, meaning its carbon emissions are subject to the same regulatory constraints as the chemical industry. For example, Together for Sustainability (TfS), an influential sustainability initiative in the chemical industry, was co-founded by leading agrochemical companies like BASF and Bayer, with Syngenta as a member. TfS requires its suppliers to undergo sustainable procurement audits, with product carbon footprint disclosures being a mandatory component.
Such industry initiatives will drive agrochemical enterprises toward a greener, low-carbon, and more sustainable future. In 2024, under the guidance and technical support of the China Crop Protection Industry Association, the first-ever Low-Carbon Alliance for the Crop Protection Industry was officially established. Member organizations will collectively explore new pathways for low-carbon development and promote high-quality green and low-carbon transformation in the industry.
04 Compliance disclosure of supply chain carbon aata facilitates agrochemical product carbon footprint tracing
Green and low-carbon development requires digital technology enablement. A scientific, reliable, and compliant product carbon footprint cannot be independently collected, calculated, and modeled by a single company; it requires data collaboration across the entire supply chain. The compliant disclosure and sharing of supply chain carbon data will significantly enhance the traceability of agrochemical product carbon footprints.
From February 24 to 26, 2025, the 2nd China Agrochemical Industry High-Quality Development Conference, hosted by the China Crop Protection Industry Association, will be held in Nantong, Jiangsu Province. The China Carbon Disclosure Platform of Agricultural Chemicals will be officially launched during the main forum on the morning of February 25.
Source: China Carbon Disclosure Platform of Agricultural Chemicals
The China Carbon Disclosure Platform of Agricultural Chemicals, jointly released by the China Crop Protection Industry Association and Carbon Newture, is the world’s first public platform dedicated to addressing climate change risks within the agrochemical sector. This platform leverages digital technology to integrate carbon data across the industry, supporting the green and low-carbon transformation of China's agrochemical enterprises while fostering corporate collaboration and shared data to tackle green trade barriers.
Developed in alignment with China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the platform enables agrochemical enterprises to meet both domestic and international green and low-carbon compliance requirements, facilitating their sustainable transition. It focuses on decarbonization across the agrochemical supply chain, covering pesticide intermediates, active ingredients, formulations, as well as packaging materials, additives, and labeling. By leveraging digital technology for compliant disclosure of corporate carbon data, the platform aims to enhance the industry’s reputation, strengthen brand value, expand market share, and address green trade barriers.
🔘 Click here to view the conference agenda and register for participation
References:
[1] IPCC, https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_LongerReport.pdf
[2] https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fQVz_JZaWWUmNFXqo7cIjQ
[3] SBTi Official Website, https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action
[4] Corteva Official Website, https://www.corteva.cn/media-center/Advancing-Climate-Positive-Development-Corteva-in-Action.html
[5] ADAMA 2023 ESG Report
[6] Cover Image Source: Syngenta MAP Green High-Quality Development Report 2023