Are Ranchers Interested in Joining the Carbon Market? Survey Says: Maybe

The carbon market offers an opportunity for ranchers to receive compensation for engaging in stewardship practices that sequester greenhouse gases. We present results from a survey administered in January 2024 of 504 ranchers across 10 Great Plains and Front Range states exploring their willingness to join the carbon market, and their reasons for non-participation. We found that 55% of respondents are interested in joining a grassland carbon market program. Top non-participation reasons include concerns about long-term contracts, payment amounts, and having a conservation easement to be eligible. Private carbon markets and future federal programs should consider ranchers’ preferences for enrollment if they want to encourage participation.