
2040 Net Zero farming targets: Are they achievable?
Late last year, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) told the BBC that the ambitious plans to make British farming ‘net zero’ by 2040 simply may not be achievable.
But why has the agricultural industry been set lofty targets 10 years ahead of the rest of the UK’s legally binding national target in the first place? And how achievable do we believe the goals are?
Let’s take a look…
What is ‘net zero’ farming?
The concept of ‘net zero farming’ is an approach to agriculture that aims to balance the amount of greenhouse gases produced and removed from the atmosphere.
The goal is to reach “net zero” emissions by reducing on-farm emissions and offsetting the remainder through practices that absorb carbon, such as planting trees or improving soil health.
The UK government is legally obligated to reach net zero by 2050, and since farming makes up about 12% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, it has a key role to play.
Most emissions in farming come from nitrous oxide (released by fertilisers), methane (from manure and livestock) and ammonia.
Since the industry is deeply connected to natural processes, achieving net zero requires innovative approaches. These include using renewable energy sources like solar panels, improving livestock management, and adopting low-carbon farming practices.
How farming impacts net zero
In 2019, the NFU set its own target for the English and Welsh agricultural industry to achieve net zero by 2040. This is ten years ahead of the government’s legally-binding 2050 target. In Scotland, the net zero target is 2045.
Let’s take a closer look at the impact of agriculture on the environment…
Figures 1: Emissions from agriculture in 2022 (percentage)
Source: UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions national statistics, BEIS, Emissions of air pollutants, Defra.
As you can see, in 2022, agriculture accounted for 87% of the UK’s ammonia emissions, 70% of its nitrous oxide emissions, and 49% of its total methane emissions. While the industry only contributed 2% towards the UK’s carbon emissions, this doesn’t mean that reducing CO2 in agriculture isn’t important.
In fact, reducing carbon emissions in farming is still crucial for sustainability. Farms rely on fossil fuels for machinery, transportation, and energy use. By using renewable energy sources like solar power, farming can lower CO2 emissions and become more sustainable.
This explains why the NFU has set a target of 2040. Taking action now to cut carbon emissions will help farming play its part in reaching national climate goals much sooner than the government’s 2050 target.
Doubts over the 2040 net zero farming target
But just how realistic are these targets?
In September 2024, the NFU told the BBC that the goals to achieve net zero by 2040 may well not be achievable.
Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, told the BBC he believed farming was “very much part of the solution to decarbonising the UK economy” but that more government investment was needed. Likewise, the Soil Association warned that the industry would not be able to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions “without radical changes”.
Ways for you to achieve net zero farming
At Low Carbon Energy, we’re here to support the agricultural industry and farmers in achieving net zero goals. Below, we’ve compiled three top tips to help you take the first steps to making your farm more sustainable in the long-term.
1. Assess the diets of livestock
Making sure livestock diets meet their nutritional needs is key to both cost savings and improved environmental performance.
For dairy herds, reducing crude protein levels to below 18% can lower emissions and improve efficiency in converting protein into milk, potentially reducing herd size while maintaining output and decreasing environmental impact.
In beef production, improving feed quality enhances efficiency and daily weight gain, shortening the time to slaughter and contributing to long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
For herds already achieving high protein efficiency, you could focus on factors like feed palatability, dry matter intake, and cow comfort to boost performance and climate scores. Cows that feel comfortable and use less energy on non-productive activities will be more efficient overall.
2. Invest in renewable energy sources
Secondly, switching to renewable energy, particularly solar power, can be a game-changer for your farm’s sustainability.
Installing solar panels can help:
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Lower electricity costs
- Decrease your farm’s carbon footprint
Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that can power everything from irrigation systems to farm machinery, allowing you to run your operations more efficiently and sustainably.
By making the move to renewable energy, you’ll not only be helping your farm achieve net zero goals, but also improving its long-term viability and resilience against rising energy prices. A win-win for many in our current economy
There is a huge untapped potential for savings within the agricultural industry, due to often underutilised roof spaces. Solar power provides an opportunity to generate your own electricity, giving you greater control over your energy needs and contributing to a cleaner, greener farming future.
3. Reducing use of fertilisers
Finally, the farming industry is responsible for approximately 70% of the UK’s nitrous oxide emissions. The vast majority of this is produced by fertiliser – therefore, reducing the amount of fertiliser used reduces your overall greenhouse gas emissions.
- Only apply fertiliser when it’s needed most
- Use deep placement of fertilisers
- Apply fertiliser close to plant roots
- Consider planting legumes to improve soil quality
- Invest in the health of your soil
Achieve net zero with solar
To conclude, despite the NFU’s concerns over how realistic the 2040 net zero farming targets are, at Low Carbon Energy we remain optimistic that there are steps you can take to put your business in good stead.
Whilst we back the NFU in pushing for further investment from the government, we are committed to playing our role in providing farms with green, clean energy sources through solar PV installations and systems.
Find out more about why solar energy is a great investment for agricultural sectors here. Alternatively, if you’re ready for a conversation about how we can support you – call us on 01282 421 489.
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