ISCC Regenerative Agriculture add-on

Regenerative agriculture goes beyond food production. This farming approach creates positive environmental impacts by restoring ecosystems. 

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Regenerative Agriculture

Restore ecosystems, reduce emissions,
and improve productivity

Today’s global food system is under immense pressure. By 2050, almost 10 billion people will need to be fed, demanding around 50% more food than we produce today. Our current dominant agricultural model is already pushing our planet beyond its limits. The consequences are degraded soils, biodiversity loss, significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strained water resources, and farmers vulnerable to climate shocks. This course is neither resilient nor sustainable. A new approach is needed to ensure long-term food security while respecting planetary boundaries.

 

Our Regenerative Agriculture add-on helps you integrate and scale regenerative practices into your operations. It builds on our trusted sustainability requirements and can be added to any existing ISCC certification scheme.

Benefitsof regenerative agriculture

For farmers

Healthier soils and better yields through improved fertility and organic carbon.

 

Greater resilience to climate risks like droughts, floods, pests, and diseases, supported by strong soils and biodiversity.

 

Improved livelihoods through more stable production, reduced risk exposure, and lower input costs.

For industry

Resilient supply chains that reduce climate-related disruptions and protect revenue.

 

Alignment with climate and biodiversity goals to meet regulations and market expectations.

 

Greater transparency and credibility for reporting and brand trust.

For people and planet

Restored ecosystem functions through healthier soils, improved water cycles, and biodiversity protection and recovery.

 

Improved climate resilience and risk reduction by supporting farming systems that are better able to withstand droughts, floods, and changing climate conditions.

 

Food security and community resilience by enabling stable agricultural production and supporting rural livelihoods.

Start your regenerative agriculture journey

Already registered in the ISCC HUB? Add the Regenerative Agriculture add-on to your profile. New to the system? Select the Regenerative Agriculture add-on during your initial registration.

  • Adopt a structured approach to regenerative agriculture – verify practices, and collect the data needed to track real impact over time.
  • Strengthen your sustainability strategy – report transparently and credibly, and strengthen relationships across the value chain.
  • Unlock new opportunities – drive innovation and resilience by connecting stakeholders from farm to final product.
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Our four focus areas

Soil health

Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient farming. The ISCC Regenerative Agriculture add-on promotes practices that enhance soil fertility, structure, and microbial diversity. By reducing soil disturbance, increasing organic matter, and applying cover crops and crop rotation, farmers can improve yields and strengthen resilience to climate impacts.

Water health

Regenerative agriculture supports efficient water use through better irrigation, drainage, and runoff management. These practices help preserve natural waterways, minimise waste, and safeguard water resources — ensuring long-term agricultural viability even in water-scarce regions.

Biodiversity

Diverse ecosystems are essential for productive and sustainable farms. The add-on encourages the protection of natural habitats, reduced agrochemical use, and diversified cropping systems. This enhances pollination, pest control, and soil vitality — boosting both biodiversity and farm performance.

Climate

Turning farmland into a carbon sink is a key goal of regenerative agriculture. Through techniques such as agroforestry, cover cropping, and reduced tillage, the ISCC add-on supports the capture and storage of carbon in soils, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil health and productivity.

Applicable schemes

ISCC EU

The ISCC EU certification scheme verifies compliance with the EU’s legal requirements for sustainability and GHG emissions savings criteria for renewable fuels, and the production of electricity, heating and cooling from biomass.

Discover ISCC EU

ISCC PLUS

ISCC PLUS is a voluntary certification scheme designed to validate sustainability characteristics of alternative feedstocks. It verifies the additional efforts companies make beyond regulatory compliance.

Discover ISCC PLUS

ISCC PLUS for Food and Feed

ISCC PLUS certification enables companies across the value chain to demonstrate responsible sourcing practices, including sustainability and deforestation-free commitments.

Discover ISCC PLUS for Food and Feed