Consensus breaks out on net-zero farming

Farmers, academics and NGOs deliver consensus on the usually contentious subject of farming and climate.

Professor Geoff Simm, Director of the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, took part in a panel of farmers, academics and NGO representatives, who have published a consensus pathway for making Scottish farming climate compatible. In a debate that has been notoriously polarised, Farming for 1.5 Inquiry was able to set out a credible way forward by bringing different perspectives and aspirations around the same table. 

Agriculture accounts for 20% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Scottish Government cannot achieve its ambitious climate targets without a transformation in farming.  After a 2-year long Inquiry, the Faming for 1.5 panel produced a consensus set of policy recommendations, taking the sector from where it is today to net zero in 2045. 

Farming for 1.5 was established as an independent inquiry in 2019 by NFU Scotland and Nourish Scotland. It was born out of the desire to explore a viable way forward for farming; one that could deliver for all stakeholders as well as nature and climate. The panel heard evidence from experts on farming practices, environmental impacts and behavioural change; and conducted farm visits. The independence of the Inquiry enabled all panel members to contribute views freely and develop their thinking collectively, without any pre-determined constraints.  

The key recommendations of the report include: 

• whole farm contracts to deliver on farming and nature from 2024; 
• reducing total emissions from agriculture while maintaining food production per capita; 
• rapid uptake in low methane breeding for cows and sheep.

Nigel Miller, Co-chair of the Inquiry said: “Being part of the 1.5 group has been a fascinating journey which through integrating food production, biodiversity, the wellbeing of both rural communities and landscape into a net zero solution, has left me optimistic about the future of rural Scotland. The inquiry journey has reached into soil health and sustainable cropping, in some ways revisiting principles which were established in the 18th century with the first agricultural revolution. Cutting edge science, precision techniques and genetics have also been a significant focus. Both approaches will be part of the net zero future. 

The report, built on consensus, breaks through the tired soundbites that often dominate the climate change debate and block smart solutions. The transformation pathway mapped out by the group is a holistic plan which balances the three core goals; food, biodiversity and the 2045 net zero target. It delivers for society as a whole but also provides an integrated route for farmers, crofters and land managers to deliver diverse and sometimes conflicting policy priorities.” 

You can read the full report here:  https://bit.ly/Farming1point5Report 

Farming for 1.5 Inquiry is an independent inquiry to find consensus on how Scottish agriculture can best contribute to keeping warming to no more than 1.5°C.  

https://www.farming1point5.org/ 

The Inquiry panel 

https://www.farming1point5.org/panel 

The 1.5°C is the target limit set out in the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.