Welcome to our Network

Together we are harnessing research to transform UK agri-food for net zero

AFN Network+, helping get to net zero

Working together

The AFN Network+ (UKRI Agri-food for Net Zero Network+) has brought together more than 3,000 key research leaders and stakeholders across UK agri-food, including third sector organisations, policy makers and agri-food industry professionals. Our mission is to shape the next decade of research to support and drive the UK agri-food system towards net zero.

Shaping the future

Together we are mapping the range of global contexts UK agri-food may face over the coming decades. We're exploring how food and farming could reach net zero under each of those contexts and we're establishing critical research questions which need to be tackled if we want to maximise the sector's progress.

Kickstarting progress

Our findings set a clear direction for UK Research and Innovation funding over the next decade, but we've also seed funded our own research, focusing on innovative collaborations across the sector and awarding hundreds of thousands of pounds to new projects every year.

text reads: a national opportunity for positive transformational change. Image shows three illustrations of farmland where livestock and crops are mixed, landscape which is being used for a range of different purposes and a town centre where people are shopping and eating healthy food.

Roadmap for Resilience – a UK Food Plan for 2050

The Roadmap for Resilience: A UK Food Plan for 2050 calls for radical transformation, at a scale and pace not seen since the Second World War. It says if we do not act now, change will be forced upon us by increasing pressures and the UK will lurch from crisis to crisis, including from food price shocks, climate disasters and weakening economic productivity.

Impact and engagement

The AFN Network+ is committed to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and supporting research that advances the agri-food system toward a more sustainable future. Find out about more about our growing membership, the projects we’ve supported and our growing bank of resources.

WEBINAR: How can we trust the data and computer models shaping our food systems?

Many decisions about our food system are being made based on data and computer models, including how we should respond to climate change, what subsidies governments should provide, and what changes supermarkets should make. But how do we know if these numbers and models are reliable? When should we trust them, and when should we be asking more questions?

Woman's hand holds a clump of soil against a green countryside

Seed-funding the future

The AFN Network+ has funded a range of projects that contribute to our mission. Our scoping studies are small- and medium-sized projects that explore issues related to achieving net zero through the agri-food sector. Our Stakeholder FlexFund supports AFN Network+ members with small-scale activities that explore, develop or trial solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in UK agri-food.

 

Webinars and podcasts

Our webinar and podcast series explores the transition to net zero in the UK agri-food system with leading movers and shakers. They provide deep and varied insight from across the sector, including farmers, scientists, policy analysts, community leaders, retailers, politicians, businesses and health professionals. Take part on the day or browse our growing library.

Image shows an illustration of a future scenario called 'circular worlds' in which people are living in a world governed by circular systems

Featured report

What could the UK agri-food system look like in 2050?

How might the world look in 2050, and what sort of UK agri-food system might exist as a result? This report describes four possible futures and what policy planning and research will be needed under each, to move the agri-food system towards a net zero UK.​ Scenarios help us to think about possible challenges and opportunities ahead, and provide a route for planning and decision-making – which is the aim of this report.

Member directory

Looking for a partner for your next project? Our member directory is a great way to get in touch with other AFN Network+ members. Share your areas of work and expertise and search for other members looking to collaborate. This is the place where AFN Network+ membership comes alive.