With greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from agriculture representing a significant percentage of UK emissions, a new report produced by leading environmental consultants ADAS, recommends that a number of small inexpensive changes to farming practices can help significantly reduce emissions and help the environment.
In the report, commissioned by Defra, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission and Natural England, ADAS takes further the assessment of potential for reducing emissions from agriculture produced for Defra by the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and comes to a more detailed view on how mitigation methods can be implemented through a range of regulatory, economic and voluntary policy instruments.
David Harris, who led the research for ADAS said: “Climate change is the most serious long-term challenge facing the world today and a top priority for Government at present. Farmers have an important role to play in the abatement of climate change and where this can be achieved through more efficient use of inputs (fuel, feed and fertiliser) they can also secure lower production costs.”
“The research has shown that there is potential for some early wins in GHG abatement by extending the scope of existing environmental policies and by encouraging farmers to adopt best practice without impacting output or incurring significant cost.”
The ADAS report revisits the SAC conclusions and focuses on three areas:
• Reviewing the mitigation methods as set out by SAC;
• Evaluating the mitigation potential and the costs thereof;
• Setting out and selecting the possible policy instruments.
David Harris adds: “While carrying out the research it became apparent that many of the mitigation methods that are likely to be useful in GHG abatement are used in existing policy measures and can be adapted relatively quickly to enhance GHG abatement.
“Agriculture faces the challenge of reducing its own GHG emissions by 3 million tonnes a year by 2020 and any policies which deliver abatement from the sector will contribute to the overall national target of 80 percent reduction by 2050. ADAS is at the forefront of research in this area and recognises the technical potential for sector abatement but also the challenge of getting widespread uptake. However, by addressing this environmental issue proactively and practically, farmers can make a real difference! It is primarily a question of small changes in behaviour and access to information and advice” an area where ADAS is actively involved with both farmers and their trade organisations.
“There are still a lot of questions to be answered on effective mitigation methods as green house gases are difficult to measure and verify in agriculture. ADAS is involved in ongoing research on the GHG inventory, anaerobic digestion, carbon foot-printing and biofuels……
For more information on how ADAS can help your business, contact David Harris on 01223 355 916 or email david.harris@adas.co.uk.
The full report can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/climate/documents/climate-ag-instruments.pdf