NFU East Anglia report shows how farmers are reducing carbon emissions
'Our journey to net zero' shows how the sector plans to becoming carbon neutral by 2040
As week one of COP26 draws to a close, a report from NFU East Anglia shows how farmers in the East are reducing their carbon emissions.
The report titled, 'Our journey to net zero' also shows how the sector plans to hit its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
Rob Wise is the Union's Environment advisor.
He told us that a lot of misconceptions continue to surround the relationship between farmers and the environment
"Farmers have recognised for a long time that they are part of the solution to climate change. They are often perceived as the problem, but for centuries we've been taking carbon dioxide out of the air, as part of photo-synthesis and storing it up".
He went on to says its not just pastoral businesses that are changing their ways
"In crop production we are increasing our resource efficiency, where we're introducing cover crops into the rotation which leaves less ground bare over the winter. That means less nitrous oxide and carbon emitted from the soil".
He admitted that farmers can't reach their target alone
"The best thing that consumers can do to improve their carbon footprint and it all go hand in hand with the efforts of farmers, is Buy British, Buy Local and where you can Buy seasonal because all of those things will help you reduce your carbon emissions as a consumer".
He concluded by explaining why the target is set to 2040
"We have to recognise that there are farmers at different stages of this journey and farmers with different production profiles. So not every farm will be able to get to net zero by 2040 or possibly ever, due to the mix of farming that they are doing".