Advanced BioFuels USA

(National Farmers Union)  The NFU has set the ambitious goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the whole of agriculture in England and Wales by 2040. This is our contribution to the
UK’s ambition of net zero by 2050.

Agriculture is uniquely placed to be part of the solution, as both an emissions source and a sink. As farmers we have a special responsibility to protect carbon reserves already in our soils and vegetation. But we must and we can do more. We know emissions from UK farms presently amount to 45.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent a year – about onetenth of UK GHG emissions. But in stark contrast to the rest of the economy only 10 per cent of this is CO2. Around 40% is nitrous dioxide (N2O) and 50% is methane (CH4).

The NFU’s assessment is that we can only deliver net zero if we act across a range of internationally recognised inventories. Based upon the latest scientific evidence, our approach has been discussed with the Committee on Climate Change, so we believe our aim is challenging, but attainable, given the right incentives.

There is no single answer to this problem. To achieve our aim we will need a range of measures that fall under three broad headings:
• Improving farming’s productive efficiency;
• Improving land management and changing land use to capture more carbon;
• Boosting renewable energy and the wider bioeconomy.

At the same time as reducing our impact on the climate, we should not reduce our capacity to feed UK consumers with
high quality, affordable British food. The UK must not achieve its climate change ambitions by exporting UK  production, or our greenhouse gas emissions, to other countries.

Our ambition for a net zero contribution to climate change across the whole of agricultural production by 2040 is a national aspiration, not an expectation that every farm can reach net zero. Every farm will start the journey to net zero from a different place and will need a unique action plan.

It is important to start that journey by assessing the likely emissions sources on farm. I know the future on my farm has to be about holistic farm management – not organic versus conventional, but sustainable farming practice that focuses on building soil health.

Our mixed rotation is focused on continually striving to improve grazing pasture, introduce more clover and herbal leys which help to fix nitrogen so we use less fertiliser, and GPS technology is supporting our ability to precision farm. I’m confident that new feed additives and minerals will also help further reduce methane and regular benchmarking ensures I’m getting the best performance and productivity out of my livestock. Focusing on health status and
the right genetics are key to carbon neutral farming.

The NFU believes that the agricultural sector is very much part of the solution to decarbonising the UK economy and achieving net zero and we are working on proposals for pilot schemes to introduce policy incentives to bring to life net zero for farmers and growers. But we will only be able to achieve our carbon neutral goal with concerted support from government, industry and other key groups to help deliver this challenging, but achievable, ambition.  READ MORE