World celebrates British farmers efforts to combat climate change at UN's COP22

The report aims to celebrate the work of farmers from across the UK in tackling climate change
The report aims to celebrate the work of farmers from across the UK in tackling climate change

Twenty-two farmers from across the UK will feature in a new brochure 'Delivering Britain’s Clean Energy from the Land' as the UN's Climate Change conference celebrates Farmers Day.

The reports launch comes on Farmers Day at the COP22 climate conference being held in Marrakech, Morocco, where world leaders are turning their attention to the role of agriculture in managing a changing climate.

The report aims to celebrate the work of farmers from across all four UK farming unions in tackling climate change by installing renewable energy systems on their farm and producing low carbon energy.

Now legally binding, the international Paris Agreement on climate change signed in 2015 has opened the door to a wealth of opportunities for farmers to contribute to the low-carbon economy.

The international Paris Agreement on climate change signed in 2015 has opened the door to a wealth of opportunities for farmers (Photo: COP22)
The international Paris Agreement on climate change signed in 2015 has opened the door to a wealth of opportunities for farmers (Photo: COP22)

In a joint statement, the four UK Farming Union Presidents said: “The farming industry grows the raw ingredients for the UK’s largest manufacturing sector food and drink, worth £108bn, and provides jobs for 3.9 million people, all while using its natural resources to store carbon and generate clean renewable energy. Our report showcases our members’ ambitions and practical actions to be on the frontline of tackling the impact of climate change.

“Agriculture has a unique role to play in the implementation of the historic 2015 Paris Agreement, which is now taking effect. Diversification into low-carbon renewable energy offers our farmer and grower members’ stable and predictable returns, making their agricultural businesses more resilient, profitable and competitive.

“Farmers have embraced a diverse selection of technologies at different scales to meet the needs of their business and the country. They are keen to keep their businesses progressive and at the forefront of technology for present and future generations.”

Tackling both the causes and effects of climate change is vital to make the world
Tackling both the causes and effects of climate change is vital to make the world's food supply more resilient, scientists say

'Vital to make world's food supply more resilient'

At the Marrakech Climate Chance Conference (7-18 November 2016), nations of the world are turning their climate commitments into action, strengthening the global response to climate change in terms of ambition, promoting implementation and providing support.

Tackling both the causes and effects of climate change is vital to make the world's food supply more resilient, scientists say.

Farmers, especially small scale ones, are directly affected by the adverse effects of climate change (i.e. soil degradation, decrease of global water supplies, extreme climatic events). At the same time, they also play a key role in the fight against climate change, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation.

According to this agreement, all nations coincide to combat climate change, to take actions and make investments towards a resilient and sustainable future, by limiting the rise in global temperature to "well below” 2°C, with the commitment of trying to keep it up to 1.5 °C.

The biggest renewable energy resources available to British agriculture are bioenergy (biomass, biofuels, biogas), wind power and solar PV. It is estimated that farmers own or host over half of the UK's solar power and AD capacity, as well as the majority of wind power.

Prince Charles has also joined calls for the agricultural industry to improve the health of soil, so it can store more carbon. He has praised a UK-France government initiative to improve the condition of global soils.

Both governments are meeting the Prince to discuss the need to improve the health of soils worldwide. He has praised the French government's signature project on soil health, the 'Four per Thousand Initiative', which seeks to increase the organic content and health of soils worldwide.

The United Nations has called for farmers worldwide to urgently change methods of growing food if the world is to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation said: "Unless action is taken now to make agriculture more sustainable, productive and resilient, climate change impacts will seriously compromise food production in countries and regions that are already highly food-insecure."