May 3, 2023

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

Athian’s key mission is to help the beef and dairy value chains capture and then claim carbon credits earned by aggregating, validating, and certifying greenhouse gas reductions – and then monetizing those reductions through the sale of the credits. 

These steps are accomplished for producers of all sizes through Athian’s connected carbon marketplace and insetting platform, which will allow participating farmers to earn revenue to fund those practices once it goes to market later this year. 

This business caught the attention of Tyson, which in March of this year announced its Seed stage investment in the company, joining previous investors in the company Elanco Animal Health Inc. and Newtrient LLC.

At the time, Athian CEO Paul Myer said, “This investment from Tyson Ventures propels the development of our carbon marketplace platform forward. We now have investors from each segment of the livestock production value chain – farmers, packers, processors, and animal health companies – supporting sustainability practices, including the economic aspect of sustainability, which has been left out of the conversation for far too long.”

Now, about six weeks later, the investor rolls continue to expand with the addition of DSM Venturing, the corporate venture arm of Royal DSM, and California Dairies (CDI), the largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative in California and the second largest in the U.S. 

In connection with these investments, Scott Horner, regional managing director, North America, DSM Venturing, and Darrin Montiero, vice president of sustainability with CDI, will join the Athian board of directors in an observer capacity.

“We are excited by CDI and DSM Venturing’s enthusiasm for our innovative carbon marketplace platform. The groundswell of support has been tremendous,” said Myer. “This announcement not only expedites our reach into international markets but also accelerates practical environmental solutions that give farmers new revenue streams and helps companies deliver on their sustainability commitments throughout the value chain.”

The environmental impacts of livestock agriculture, and how to mitigate the effects, are complex. Nearly 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by livestock and their production, however, this is just the beginning. There’s also the loss of biodiversity, water usage and pollution, soil degradation, monoculture agriculture to produce enough feed, among others – making the launch of Athian all the more critical. 

“While no single company can solve the challenge of climate change alone, we can work together to make meaningful impacts,” said Myer in March. “We will launch Athian’s carbon credit insetting platform in the second half of 2023 so that livestock farmers who prioritize measurable carbon management practices will be able to, for the first time, earn revenue to fund those practices.”

But what exactly is insetting? 

The key difference between carbon offsetting and carbon insetting is the goal – carbon offsetting is when a company seeks to reduce emissions elsewhere to compensate, or offset, their own emission. Carbon insetting is the process of implementing practices to reduce emissions within your own operation – both fight climate change, in their own ways. 

“Global climate change requires all of us working together,” said Myer. “And now, Athian can deliver on our goal of connecting the whole value chain.”

“By joining forces with investors like CDI, DSM Venturing and others throughout the livestock industry, we have a unique opportunity, with all the voices at the table, to support sustainability practice changes through carbon incentives. Together we can move the needle on climate change.”

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor in chief with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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