Fire in the Fields: Addressing Open Agricultural, Field and Forest Burning to Decrease Black Carbon and Increase Adaptation and Crop Yields

Open burning is the largest single source of black carbon globally, yet this practive has a devastating impact on soils and crop yields, as well as the climate. Discussion of lessons learned from Nordic projects in Russia and Ukraine and how these are being applied globally with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. 

Programme:

14:15-14:20 Opening speaker
Yvonne Ruwaida, Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment and Energy in Sweden (TBC)

14:20-14:50 ICCI presentation of report on Open Burning in Russia
Svante Bodin and Alex Gittelson, ICCI

• Black carbon – how does it affect the Arctic region?
• When, where and why do farmers burn?
• Legislation – conclusions and results of the project
• Education – model-farms and exchanges with Sweden
• Alternative methods for farmers
• Global context (Climate and Clean Air Coalition)

14:50-15:15 A future strategy for Open Burning reduction in Eastern Europe
Henrik G Forsström and Henrik Toremark, NEFCO

• Develop methodology to estimate black carbon emissions
• Target farmers’ short-term incentives
• Nordic on-farm capacity building
• Support no-burn law enforcement 
• Programme extension to Ukraine

15:15-15:45 Discussion on a broader and deeper agenda of the Open Burning project
Moderator: NEFCO and ICCI

• Questions on Open Burning mitigation in Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, other countries)
• Priorities in terms of no-burn alternatives, regions and partners in the project
• New stakeholder participation – roles & financing