The NFU believes the latest Committee on Climate Change report shows that UK farmers and growers are making their contribution towards meeting our climate change targets.
In its third progress report, delivered to Parliament this week, the committee sets out its analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and reduction opportunities in our sector.
The report highlights that UK agricultural emissions have continued their gradual downward trend, falling another one per cent in 2009. Since 1990, the reduction has been about 21 %. There is also evidence that emissions intensities (GHG emissions per unit of output) are improving.
NFU climate change adviser Ceris Jones said: “The agriculture industry’s Greenhouse Gas Action Plan is one of a range of initiatives that are already helping farmers produce more while impacting less. The CCC’s initial analysis reinforces the progress being made as it shows that higher levels of productivity in some sectors have been achieved with fewer emissions.”
The committee highlights the need to resolve the scientific uncertainties associated with agricultural emissions and to ensure that changes in farm practice that lead to emissions reduction can be reflected in the national inventory. However, it still believes that there are various policies including regulation which could provide incentives to reduce emissions further.
Ms Jones said: “Agriculture has a history of engagement in voluntary initiatives and the effect of regulation is often negative. Therefore, the industry is committed to making a success of the GHGAP. We are pleased that the committee has recognised the contribution that on-farm anaerobic digestion could make in reducing emissions and suggests the need for appropriate support.”
The Greenhouse Gas Action Plan aims to put the agriculture industry in England on a path to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by three million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year from 2018-2022 without compromising domestic production.
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