Athian's "Funding Livestock Sustainability" initiative leverages cloud computing and scientific rigor to advance sustainable practices within the livestock industry. By connecting stakeholders across the value chain, Athian facilitates the implementation of verified carbon reduction strategies that benefit the environment and offer economic incentives to producers. The platform is initially focused on the dairy industry but plans to expand to other livestock and poultry sectors.
Athian's platform is designed to address the growing need for sustainable practices in livestock management. It provides a comprehensive solution for benchmarking, verifying, and monetizing greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. By focusing on carbon insetting rather than offsetting, Athian ensures that the economic and environmental benefits remain within the animal protein value chain.
Key Features
Athian's platform offers a range of features designed to facilitate sustainable transformation in livestock management. The carbon insetting marketplace allows producers to trade verified carbon credits, creating a financial incentive for adopting sustainable practices. Digital MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) ensures the accuracy and transparency of GHG reduction data. Science-based interventions, validated for effectiveness, guide producers in implementing the most impactful strategies.
The platform's third-party auditing guarantees data integrity and compliance with international standards, enhancing trust and credibility in the carbon credits generated. The data and analytics platform leverages existing and emerging data sources to aggregate, certify, and monetize sustainability measures over time. A cloud-based interface ensures easy access and operational flexibility for all stakeholders.
Athian's partnership with Elanco Animal Health integrates their UpLook™ tool for measuring GHG emissions, providing a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing carbon footprints. The platform also offers automated data collection and quantification, a digital verification process, and traceability of carbon credits within the supply chain.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Data Security | ISO 27001 certified |
| Reporting Standards | Compliant with IPCC guidelines |
| Credit Allocation to Producer | 75% |
| Athian Platform Fee | 25% |
| Verification Standard | Third-party audited |
| GHG Measurement Tool | Integrated Elanco UpLook™ |
| Data Aggregation | Real-time |
| Platform Access | Cloud-based |
Use Cases & Applications
- Benchmarking on-farm GHG reductions: Dairy farmers use Athian to establish a baseline for their GHG emissions and track progress over time.
- Verifying and certifying Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas reductions: Food companies use Athian to verify and certify reductions in their Scope 3 emissions, meeting sustainability targets.
- Monetizing on-farm GHG reductions through carbon insetting credits: Livestock producers generate revenue by selling carbon credits earned through sustainable practices on the Athian marketplace.
- Connecting stakeholders across the livestock value chain: Athian facilitates collaboration between producers, processors, and retailers to promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
- Enabling companies to achieve Scope 3 emission reduction targets: Companies partner with Athian to access verified carbon insetting credits, helping them achieve their Scope 3 emission reduction goals.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| Focus on carbon insetting keeps economic and environmental benefits within the animal protein value chain. | Initially targeting the dairy industry, limiting its immediate applicability to other livestock sectors. |
| Cloud-based platform provides easy access and operational flexibility. | Reliance on data accuracy from producers requires robust data validation mechanisms. |
| Science-based interventions are validated for effectiveness, ensuring impactful GHG reductions. | The 25% platform fee may be a barrier for some producers, although it funds verification and operation. |
| Third-party auditing guarantees data integrity and compliance, enhancing trust in the carbon credits. | Requires integration with existing farm management systems, which may present compatibility challenges. |
| Partnership with Elanco Animal Health integrates their UpLook™ tool for accurate GHG measurement. | Adoption rates depend on the awareness and willingness of producers to embrace sustainable practices. |
Benefits for Farmers
Athian provides farmers with a platform to monetize their sustainability efforts, creating a new revenue stream through carbon credit sales. By adopting sustainable practices, farmers can reduce their environmental impact and improve their operational efficiency. The platform also provides valuable data and insights, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and continuously improve their sustainability performance.
Integration & Compatibility
Athian is designed to integrate into existing farm operations by providing a cloud-based platform that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. The platform integrates with Elanco Animal Health's UpLook™ tool for measuring GHG emissions, and it is designed to be compatible with various data sources to aggregate, certify, and monetize sustainability measures. The platform's API allows for integration with other farm management systems, streamlining data collection and reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | Athian uses a cloud-based platform to benchmark on-farm GHG reductions, verify Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas reductions, and monetize on-farm GHG reductions through carbon insetting credits. It connects stakeholders across the livestock value chain, enabling the implementation of effective, verified carbon reduction strategies. |
| What is the typical ROI? | The ROI is based on the economic incentives provided to producers through the carbon credit marketplace. By adopting sustainable practices and reducing GHG emissions, producers can generate carbon credits that can be sold, providing a new revenue stream. |
| What setup is required? | As a cloud-based platform, Athian requires no on-site installation. Users can access the platform through a web browser, and data integration is streamlined through automated data collection and quantification processes. |
| What maintenance is needed? | The platform is maintained by Athian, including regular updates and security measures. Users need to ensure their data inputs are accurate and up-to-date for effective monitoring and reporting. |
| Is training required to use this? | While the platform is designed to be user-friendly, Athian provides resources and support to help users understand the platform's features and how to effectively manage their sustainability efforts. No extensive training is required. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | Athian integrates with Elanco Animal Health's UpLook™ tool for measuring GHG emissions. The platform is designed to be compatible with various data sources to aggregate, certify, and monetize sustainability measures. |
Pricing & Availability
When an AVSA credit is purchased, 75% of the purchase price is allocated back to the producer who generated the credit on their farm or ranch, and the remaining 25% is collected by Athian to fund third party verification, as well as the operation and maintenance of the platform. For specific pricing and availability details, contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
Athian provides comprehensive support and training resources to help users effectively utilize the platform. This includes online documentation, webinars, and personalized support from Athian's team of experts. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces and clear instructions. Additional training and support services are available to ensure users can maximize the benefits of the platform.
