Farmers across UK begin journey to net zero emissions

8th August 2020 | Recycling

Twenty-six farmers across the UK have showcased what they are going to help the industry reach the net zero by 2040 ambition. The NFU has released a booklet “Doing out bit for Net Zero” which includes case studies from every sector and from farms across England and Wales. The Committee on Climate Change called for the UK to drastically reduce emissions to zero over the next three decades. The recommendations, published in May 2019, aim to slash emissions by 80 per cent what they were in 1990.

The farming industry is aiming to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 as a contribution to a new target of 2050 for the whole of the UK. The NFU’s new report covers each of the three pillars outlines in the union’s net zero plan: productivity, carbon storage and renewables and bioenergy.

Net zero emissions

Some of the work outlined in the booklet includes examples of farmers who are continually improving livestock genetics and animal health to boost efficiency. The report also includes case studies of farmers who are undertaking precise tree planting and woodland management. And come producers have invested in new technologies to increase farm productivity. The 26 studies aim to inspire others to start their net zero journey ahead of the 26th meeting of the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow in November next year.

NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts, who farms 110ha in Hertfordshire, feathers as one of the case studies. His organic family business is part-owned part-tenanted, comprising arable, 50 ewes, a small pedigree Hereford herd and 200 laying hens. “We started off with a stockless cereal rotation but the weed burden made it too difficult. Introducing sheep has led to a 34% increase in yield,” he said.

More information available on the website below

https://www.farminguk.com/news/farmers-across-uk-begin-journey-to-net-zero-emissions_56274.html