Measuring the extent to which greenhouse gas emission savings achieved by Environmental Stewardship are displaced on-farm (NECR121)

Abstract

Climate change is a long-term challenge that potentially affects all parts of the Earth. Human activities make a significant contribution to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, and this impacts on climate. The mitigation of GHG emissions is a key climate objective for society to tackle, and one in which rural areas, businesses and communities have a role. Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme that provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on their land. Many of the available options offer opportunities for mitigating the effects of climate change either by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or by increasing carbon sequestration. This report looked at how farmers respond to the uptake of those options most effective at reducing GHG emissions (priority options) and the impact these options have on on-farm crop yields and livestock numbers, and the potential for emissions displacement.