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Green boundaries as climate protectors

Wild hedges store large amounts of CO2 and contribute to biodiversity by providing a habitat for animals and plants. However, they are a less and less common sight in agriculture. Now STIHL France is planning a project to support farmers in integrating more hedges into agricultural areas

Now STIHL France is planning a project to support farmers in integrating more hedges into agricultural areas.
Christoph Hiller von Gaetringen (right) and Klaus Kaupp (center) present the results of two years of project work.

Hedges were once an important component of farming in their own right; they functioned as land boundaries and provided firewood. However, the industrial mechanization of agriculture has made hedges increasingly rare on farmland. In France, for example, around 23,000 kilometers of hedges are destroyed every year – for a range of reasons, including to create more space for growing crops. Agriculture is currently caught between the conflicting priorities of competition and climate change: It must serve consumers and their growing demands; make food available at affordable prices; and also contribute to climate protection.

Klaus Kaupp presents the new power tool ideas.

Many farmers are aware of the soil and climate benefits of agroforestry, which is the practice of maintaining both agriculture and trees on a single area. When hedges – which are understood as trees in this scenario – are integrated into agricultural areas, they provide a natural barrier against soil erosion. Their roots protect the soil, which is a much larger carbon store than the forest itself, and prevent it from being washed away in heavy rain. This is particularly important in areas of intensive agriculture. Hedges bind carbon and keep water in the landscape. Their flowers also attract insects such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollinating crops. A sustainably maintained hedge is one way of implementing futureproof agroforestry. But for most farming operations the costs and risks of making the change are too high. As such, there are growing calls to support them with effective funding programs.

CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
In France the “Label Haie” certification program promotes sustainable hedge management practices, regulates the use of hedge timber and supports the development of sustainable timber supply chains. To obtain the certification, participants must fulfill various criteria, including receiving training in the use of appropriate tools or working with certified professionals. STIHL France has reviewed this initiative and is planning a project to provide certified training to farmers by offering training on STIHL hedge management tools. By doing this, STIHL becomes a partner for the production of sustainable wood that can be ‘monetized’ in the form of carbon credits. Farmers need viable business models, and for them carbon credits represent a crucial step for networking with companies that want to offset their carbon emissions. 

Those awarded the “Label Haie” certification can also access financial support at national and European level through the Politique Agricole Commune (PAC) – also known as the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (CAP). The PAC was established in 1957 and has the task of supporting European farmers in their development. For example, it makes direct payments to ensure stable income and reward environmentally friendly practices.

Heckenretter: Artenvielfalt und Klimaschutz am laufenden Meter

The Hamburg-based Heckenretter registered association is dedicated to the task of planting wild hedges next to farmed fields and maintaining them in a manner that respects nature conservation. This creates new habitats for different wildlife species but also additional carbon stores, because hedges capture CO2 exactly as forests do. At the same time, they help farms adapt to climate change by protecting hedges from soil erosion and stabilizing the water balance. The association, founded in 2020, also wants to develop a circular economy centered around these wild hedges: Hedgerow fruits – elderberries, rosehip, cornelian cherries and sloes – would be processed into high-quality products, the sale of which in turn can co-finance the care of wild hedges. 

In 2023 STIHL supported Heckenretter with products for maintaining wild hedges, including an HLA 66 battery hedge trimmer and two FSA 135 battery brushcutters. 

To find out more about the Heckenretter association go to: www.heckenretter.org

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