What is Carbon Auditing?
Carbon Auditing is the process of quantifying carbon produced during a production process.
Why should we factor Carbon Auditing into an annual business plan?
From the 1st of Jan 2021 the agricultural transition period will begin, and so money will be invested in different ways from 2021 to 2027. Farmers will be paid to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions.
It is predicted that nearly 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK are produced in the Agriculture Sector, and so the aim is to reduce the industry’s emissions dramatically over the next two decades. In response to this, the NFU has set a target to become completely carbon neutral by 2040.
For farmer’s and landowners to reach this goal, they will need to understand and be aware of their contribution to the industry’s carbon footprint. Carbon Auditing will help with this by highlighting areas of weakness and will show the user how to improve efficiency on their farm by producing more with less inputs. It will also make a supplier much more appealing to carbon focused buyers or assuring bodies such as LEAF.
What can you do with the information produced by a carbon audit?
Once you have completed your carbon audit and you have the results, you will know your carbon footprint, along with a breakdown of the emissions being produced. According to Julian Bell, business lead at Agrecalc (Agriculture Resource Efficiency Calculator) “typically, most farms can attain the first 10% – 15% of carbon reduction with changes in practices, such as growing more legumes, sampling manures and soils to reduce fertiliser use, or implementing paddock grazing,” he says. “The next level of 10% – 15% improvement should be feasible from more significant investments such as new machinery or systems’ changes, while achieving a 30% – 40% reduction is likely to require more drastic measures such as afforestation.”
Practical measures to start reducing GHG Emissions on your farm
- Improved fertiliser placement, close to the roots
- Avoid applying nutrient to wet or waterlogged solids or prior to forecasted heavy rainfall; avoid hot periods, drought, or bright sunshine
- Frequent Soil Sampling to manage soil pH and mineral loading (correct pH ensures nutrient is available to the plant, incorrect pH and any applied N cannot be accessed and will be lost)
- Only apply N in response to crop demand, do not forget to factor FYM into recommendations
- Crop Variety Selection – where possible select low N crops or varieties with high resistance ratings to limit management activities such as spraying
- Use cover crops to improve soil health, reduce soil compaction & prevent leaching
- Ensure infrastructure supports the appropriate storage requirements for farmyard manures and slurry
- Consider methods of application to minimise losses to the atmosphere
- Ensure feeding regime accurately meets livestock requirements
- Ensure that livestock selection and breeding suits the farm location and management systems
Sources:
https://natwestbusinesshub.com/articles/greener-pastures-carbon-audits-for-farmers
https://www.fas.scot/downloads/adviser-spotlight-ian-cairns-carbon-audits/
