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- Scottish farming will have to adapt to climate change, take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to carbon capture through soil management, crops and timber.
- The Scottish Government has proposed a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 80% by 2050. Scottish Government has estimated that agriculture and related land use could contribute around 20% of total Scottish emissions.
5 Key Actions You Can Take
The Scottish Government has identified 5 Key Action Areas to help Scottish farmers reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and improve their businesses.
The Scottish Government's aim is to suggest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening farm businesses to make them more resilient to climate change.
The suggestions are based on the following principles:
- Ensuring that resources employed in farm businesses are used as efficiently as possible
- Prioritising the most cost effective actions
- Minimising waste
- Developing new business opportunities where these can reduce emissions
The Scottish Government's 5 Key Action Areas are:
- Using energy and fuels efficiently
- Developing renewable energy
- Locking carbon into the soil and vegetation
- Optimising the application of fertiliser and manures
- Optimising livestock management and storage of waste
Farmers may be able to adopt one or a number of the measures outlined. In doing so they will make a positive contribution to reducing emissions and be better able to adapt to climate change, whilst simultaneously reducing input costs and potentially developing new income streams.
Downloadable Practical Guides are available from within the pages of each of the 5 Key Action Areas.