Burda is committed to regenerative agriculture. But what exactly is regenerative agriculture and how does this commitment fit in with our company? Board member Katharina Herrmann has the answers.
Imagine a vivid landscape: a field of seasonal crops, nourished by nutrient-rich soil intertwined with strong roots. Wild herbs and blossoming plants grow along its edges, while a bustling ecosystem of insects, worms, and snails thrives within. This is the essence of regenerative agriculture, a focus of Burda's climate commitment. By partnering with Klim, a pioneering agritech company, Burda aims to advance regenerative farming practices. Klim's digital platform serves as a bridge, connecting companies with farmers and facilitating the transition to sustainable farming methods. After all, the more regenerative farmland we cultivate, the better it is for our climate and the environment.
"We conduct an annual assessment of the company's carbon footprint and use it to develop strategies to reduce emissions. Unfortunately, it is not always feasible to reduce all emissions to zero," Anne Karoline Frizen from the „getting better" team explains. "That is why we have been working intensively on ways to compensate for the CO2 emissions that we as a company are currently unable to avoid. We found the concept of regenerative agriculture compelling". As a result, Burda is increasing its support for projects that foster sustainable agriculture. After all, the development of a regenerative food system holds promising opportunities in the fight against climate change as well as the soil and biodiversity crisis. "We have been working with the Bioland Foundation since 2021, offering courses to provide farmers with the necessary know-how to convert their farms to regenerative agriculture. Our partnership with Klim allows us to further scale and expand our commitment on a regional level," Christina Frenzel from the getting better team adds.
With Burda's investment, Klim is able to provide farmers with both financial support and the expertise they need to transform their land. The resulting improvement in soil quality has a number of positive effects: A thicker layer of humus allows the soil to bind more carbon. Healthy soils also increase crop yields: Soil becomes more resilient to extreme weather conditions, the water cycle is improved, and biodiversity and wildlife are enhanced. Farmers document their improvements on the Climate Platform, for which they are then compensated.
"Since its founding in 2020, more than 3,000 farmers have registered on Klim. Together they cultivate 500,000 hectares of land," says Frenzel. "With our commitment, we at Burda can continue to support this development and make a real difference for the environment."
