Ahead of COP27 in Egypt, the week of Countryside COP virtual events will bring together rural businesses, organisations and experts in a series of seminars covering key issues, from science and innovation to food systems, and will explore future opportunities and climate adaptation options.
Hosted by the Agriculture & Land Use Alliance, of which the NFU is a member, this will be the perfect way for those interested in the countryside to come together to discuss the key issues around climate change and the future vision of the rural economy.
Join in the conversation
Everyone who has an interest in the rural community and climate change is being encouraged to join the conversation and contribute to boosting wider sustainability.
NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw said: “Countryside COP is a fantastic opportunity to showcase contributions from the rural community and the British food supply chain to a net zero and resilient economy.”
Producing sustainable food
“This programme will cover a variety of issues and themes which are important for rural communities as a whole, and of course the production of affordable, climate-friendly food is part of this.
“The shockwaves of the energy crisis and the tragic situation in the Ukraine highlight more than ever the need for us to build resilience into our agri-food supply chains to ensure our sector continues to provide climate-friendly food.
“Climate smart farming is about the win-wins where the farm can improve efficiency and lower the cost of production while further reducing the footprint of food production. With fertiliser, feed and fuel prices at record highs this has never been more important, both for our businesses and the climate.
“We continue to see some incredible work to both reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts, and there are huge opportunities when it comes to boosting business resilience, our production of renewable energy, and capitalising on environmental markets. The aim of these events is to highlight the great examples of what is already being done, and identify where we can do even more.
“Food production really is back on both the domestic and global agenda and building public support for climate-friendly British food production is crucial to the future of a thriving, dynamic food and farming industry. I’d encourage as many farmers and growers as possible to get involved and help demonstrate how the farming sector is part of the solution to the climate crisis.”
Stronger when we work together
The Agriculture & Land Use Alliance said: “All of us have a part to play in the journey to net zero and we are stronger when working together. The Countryside COP isn’t just an opportunity for farmers, but for anyone with an interest in the countryside and rural economy and an ambition to reach net zero, to come together to collaborate and share their collective expertise, experience and knowledge.
“We encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the Countryside COP so we can share all our knowledge and help rural areas to maximise their contribution to the government’s net zero target, all while continuing to produce fantastic, affordable, climate-friendly food for people at home and abroad.”
