Climate Change Committee report - new targets and action on diets and land use.

The report makes detailed suggestions for cuts in emissions to reach a net zero UK 2050 target and for the first time set out the opportunities and risks for carbon sequestration in food and farming sector. 

On publication of the Climate change Committee report, Vicki Hird, Farm Campaign Coordinator, says:

“Given the huge impact climate breakdown will have on food supplies and farmers globally, Sustain welcomes the ambition in the Climate Change Committee report and that reduction targets are now being proposed for the UK food and farming sector.

Changing to lower and better meat diets will help cut emissions though care is needed to avoid unintended wildlife, environmental, animal welfare or economic harm here or overseas. We would suggest the 20% ambition could be revised upwards given the potential for emissions cuts if done carefully. 

Equally ensuring farming and land management can be better managed to capture carbon is vital, but we need to ensure this will not result in greater food imports and emissions from overseas. Supporting farmers in using agro-ecological farming methods and ensuring fair play in the supply chain will be crucial to ensure this can create viable businesses. 

The evidence is clear that we need emissions to start falling well before 2050. Incentives and training need to be available urgently for land managers to change what, and how, they are growing and rearing. This needs to be backed up by the policy changes that will help drive dietary shifts.”

Read Sustain and Eating Better's submission to the consultation on this work.