Project lead: Richard Francksen, Newcastle University

Project members: Nicola Randall, Harper Adams University; Jennifer Hodbod, University of Leeds; Fiona Fraser, Scotland’s Rural College; Samuel Eze, Harper Adams University; Payton Yau, Scotland’s Rural College; Leonidas Rempelos, University of Lincoln

Project summary: ​Regenerative agriculture (RA) has the potential to aid progress towards net-zero in the agri-food system, while increasing sustainability and resilience of UK agriculture (for example, by reducing artificial fertiliser needs and soil erosion). However, measuring the contribution of RA to reaching net-zero is hampered by a lack of readily available, transparent and collated evidence of impacts.

This project aims to use systematic mapping methodology to collate and summarise existing evidence for the impact of five representative RA practices (cover crops; integrating livestock; minimum or zero tillage; intercropping; under-sowing) on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural yield. We will use pre-defined search and inclusion criteria, co-developed with food system stakeholders, to collate evidence from scientific and ‘grey’ literature. Relevant data will be extracted to identify research patterns and gaps to inform future research, policy and practice. Outputs will include a searchable database of evidence, a research paper, and a policy brief.