The Agricultural Industry Greenhouse Gas Action Plan (GHGAP) described here comprises the response to the detailed policy proposals in the government's Low Carbon Transition Plan White Paper from a partnership of industry representatives and stakeholders.
The Action Plan represents a firm statement of intent that the agriculture industry will play its part in ensuring progress towards the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the Action Plan acknowledges the rudimentary state of knowledge about the scale of GHG emissions from agricultural systems and the degree to which it is possible to manage the natural processes of denitrification and ruminant enteric fermentation that result in the largest GHG contributions from nitrous oxide and methane.
The GHGAP is intended to be a living document, responsive to changes in policy and knowledge, and requiring regular change and refinement over time. We therefore stress that both the priority actions and results towards the budgeted emission reductions could deviate markedly from those suggested here in the light of circumstances, experience and new evidence. We also attach great importance to Defra’s acknowledgement that both the baselines and targets for emission reductions are under review. Increases in agricultural production led by increased demand may require GHG emission targets to be re-aligned, although efficiency gains will moderate part of any production-related increases. We expect Government to be conducting considerably more research on abatement potential and costs, and to be prepared to change both baseline and budgets in the light of new evidence and experience.
The GHGAP has yet to be validated and approved by the governing boards of the partners who have been consulted: ADAS, AEA, AHDB and its Sectors: BPEX, Dairy Co, EBLEX, HDC, HGCA, Potato Council; also AIC member companies, AICC, FWAG, LEAF, Farming Futures, FWAG, NIAB, Poultry industry representative, TAG and the Climate Change Task Force (NFU, CLA, AIC).
The GHGAP is available to download from the right-hand side of this page
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