What happens on the farm, does not stay on the farm

Because agriculture has a large impact on national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 68% of nitrous oxide and 47% of methane emissions, mitigating farm emissions is essential to achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero target. Farms are diverse, complex systems, so experimentation is needed to establish which combination of practices work best on each farm. Farms are also open systems, and some experiments will require multiple neighbouring farms to work together to get the maximum benefit.

To support farmers in experimenting and taking risks as a group, this project will explore the design of a new model of collective insurance for farmers trying new climate-smart practices as a cohort, across a catchment. The project will consult with farmers and insurance companies to understand what will work for them. It will produce reports on farmers’ needs and matching solutions and tools to advocate for change.

Project lead: Zainab Oyetunde-Usman, Rothamsted Research

Project members: Simon Deacon, Portsmouth Water; Jade Hemsley, Natural England; Rachel Opitz, Glasgow University; Joana Ferreira, SRUC; Alison Carswell, Rothamsted Research