Farming for our future: The nature friendly climate solution we urgently need

A report from the NFFN demonstrating the potential for farming systems that are sustainable both for farming and the environment, and ways in which the NFFN can help support this.

Resource explained

With over 70% of the UK being agricultural land, the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) believes that with the right support, the sector can play a key role in reducing UK carbon emissions and reversing wildlife declines. This report demonstrates the potential for farming systems that are sustainable both for farming and the environment, and ways in which the NFFN can help support this. It shares stories (acquired through farmer case studies and surveys), of farmers across the UK who can testify to the positive impact that nature friendly farming is already having on wildlife and biodiversity, as well as helping to mitigate climate change impacts. 9 farmers provide responses to similar questions; ranging from what role farmers play in tackling climate change and the nature friendly farming practices they practice on their farm, to the support they believe they need from the Government, citizens and the NFFN, and how their farming practices make them more resilient to climate change.

Findings & recommendations

The report features responses from: Charlie Cole, a rose veal and goat kid farmer from Moyle in Northern Ireland, David Lord, an arable farmer in Essex, England, Sorcha Lewis, a livestock farmer in mid Wales, Lynn Cassells, a crofter in the Caingorms National Park, Scotland, Martin Lines, an arable farmer in Cambridgeshire, Gethin Owen, a mixed farmer from Abergele in north Wales, Michael Meharg, livestock farmer in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, Neil Heseltine, livestock farmer in North Yorkshire, England, and Polly Davies, a mixed organic farmer in south Wales.

• Farmers across the UK need urgent support to respond to the climate emergency and transition to a sustainable farming system that will deliver long-term food security and protect biodiversity.
• A survey of NFFN farmers reveals that 95% believe that farming with nature will play a critical role in addressing and mitigating climate change, and 99% believe that nature friendly farming addresses environmental protection and improves biodiversity. However, 90% of farmers surveyed think that the farming industry is currently ill-equipped and under-resourced to build the movement and transition to sustainable food production at scale.

Also see ‘Net Zero Carbon in the UK Farming Sector: A Practical Guide‘ and ‘NFFN Position on Net Zero Farming‘