Climate Change Plan: monitoring report 2019

Agriculture 

Greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector have already been reduced by 15% (1990 to 2017). 

The Plan sets out the following five “policy outcomes” for the sector:

1. More farmers, crofters, land managers and other primary food producers are aware of the benefits and practicalities of cost-effective climate mitigation measures and uptake will have increased.

2. Emissions from nitrogen fertiliser will have fallen through a combination of improved understanding, efficient application and improved soil condition.

3. Reduced emissions from red meat and dairy through improved emissions intensity.

4. Reduced emissions from the use and storage of manure and slurry.

5. Carbon sequestration on agricultural land has helped to increase our national carbon sink.

The five overarching policy outcomes above remain the focus of the agricultural chapter of the Climate Change Plan. It is within these key areas that we continue to encourage farmers on the benefits of low carbon farming. Since the publication of the plan in February of 2018 we have and continue to take forward and strengthen our commitments. The 2018-2019 Programme for Government saw the inclusion of commitments to establish an industry led agri-tech group, commission research into nitrogen flow models within agriculture, establish our young farmer climate change champions initiative and review and renew our Farming For a Better Climate initiative, all of which we have achieved. Throughout 2018 and 2019 we have also engaged the public through the Stability and Simplicity consultation on possible roles for carbon auditing, soil testing, integrated land management plans and livestock health planning. We have continued to take forward research which has been published through ClimateXChange on areas such as livestock by breeds and greenhouse gas emissions, emissions intensity of Scottish produce, the evaluation of carbon auditing tools and the role of nitrogen fixing crops - this work is vital as we continue to ensure our evidence based approach.

September of this year saw the launch of the 2019-2020 Programme for Government and we have again strengthened intentions. 2019-2020 signals the start of a new Agriculture Transformation Programme for our farming and food production focused on sustainability, simplicity, profitability, innovation, inclusion, productivity and reducing emissions.  While funding of this package of actions will be considered as part of future rural support, work will begin this year to:

• Develop pilot schemes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
• Encourage more tree planting across Scotland including woodland integration and agro-forestry on Scottish farms.
• Promote and encourage the multiple benefits of good grassland and livestock management in Scotland including the protection of our historic carbon sinks.
• Encourage more farmers to invest in renewable energy including bio-energy to meet their energy needs.
• Promote organic farming and review innovative approaches to strengthen the sustainability of future Scottish crop production and selection.
• Explore the development of models to demonstrate and promote carbon neutral farms.

Scottish farmers and crofters continue to contribute to our emissions reduction targets across a range of areas such as land use, forestry and renewable energy generation. As such our agricultural sector is also integral to our wider national commitments to:

• Develop a national nitrogen balance sheet.
• Commission independent advice on options for changing land use patterns and practices within Scotland to optimise the role that our rural land use, including agriculture and forestry, plays in achieving our national climate change targets.

Output Indicator For Policy Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5:

Our primary output indicator will be the level of emissions from the agriculture sector in the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This will be underpinned with a particular focus on soil testing and nutrient planning in Scotland.  

Over the next few years we would expect:

A. A reduction in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the national inventory.

B. An increase in the share of farmers carrying out soil tests.

C. An increase in the share of farms completing nutrient management plans. 

A. Most Recent Data: 7.56 MtCO₂e in 2017.

Baseline Data: 7.74 MtCO₂e 2015 data based on 2016 recalculations.

Change: 0.18 MtCO₂e from 2015 to 2017.

Data Source(s): Scottish greenhouse gas emission statistics 2017^[1].

B. Most Recent Data: 

• Baseline data is still applicable as the Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Methods is not carried out on an annual basis. The next Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Method is due to be held 2020.

Baseline Data: 

• 64% of farmers surveyed carried out pH testing on other (arable) land in 2016.
• 30% of farmers surveyed carried out pH testing on grassland in 2016.

Change: N/A.

Data Source(s): 2016 Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Method^[2].

C. Most Recent Data: 

• Baseline data is still applicable as the Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Methods is not carried out on an annual basis. The next Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Method is due to be held 2020.

Baseline Data: 

• 42% share of farms surveyed completed a nutrient management plan on other (arable) land in 2016.
• 17% of farmers surveyed completed a nutrient management plan on grassland in 2016.

Change: N/A 

Data Source(s): 2016 Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Method^[2].

On Track: Too early to make assessment. 

Commentary: 

It is currently too early to make an assessment of the progress that is being made on the output indicators:

• Emissions statistics - greenhouse gas emissions are published two years in arrears and the statistics report in 2019 related to 2017 emissions. We are therefore unable to assess the impacts of the Climate Change Plan at this time.
• Soil testing and nutrient management plans, are based on data available from the 2016 Scottish Survey of Farm Structure and Method. This survey is conducted and published on a 3 to 4 year basis with the next survey due 2020. Therefore we are unable to update this at this time.

Implementation Indicator For Policy Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5:

The level of engagement within the agricultural industry to climate change-themed topics through Farming For a Better Climate and the Farm Advisory Service.

Most Recent Data: up to September 2019 -

• Combined Virtual interactions - 7100 website hits.
• Attendees at Events –1765 farmers and crofters attended 58 events across Scotland.

Data Source(s): Farming For a Better Climate^[3] and the Farm Advisory Service^[4].

Commentary: 

Since the publication of the first monitoring report our Farming For a Better Climate initiative has gone through an evolution from an event led focus farm programme to a network based approach with an online resource model focused on Regenerative Soil Agriculture. The network brings together five farmers that are working to establish how best to support, enhance and protect their farm soils.  The online resource focus allows farmers to access information at a time that best suits them and removes the need for time to be spent off farm. In order to reflect this change in approach we have altered the indicator from the first report to include virtual interactions which are a combination of Farming For a Better Climate and the Farm Advisory Service to complement the ongoing events that are provided by the Farm Advisory Service. This 2019 data will be used to set a baseline for future years.

Farming for a Better Climate has also continued to interact with the wider agricultural community through the presentation and promotion of their findings at various industry events and meetings as well as through the written press through a regular column in Farming Scotland Magazine as well as having articles featured in The Scottish Farmer, The Sunday Herald, The Press and Journal and The Dundee Courier.

Implementation Indicator For Policy Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5:

Increase the uptake of free carbon audits provided through the Farm Advisory Service to 200 audits delivered per year by 2019.

Most Recent Data: 397 free carbon audits have been taken forward between the publication of last monitoring report.

Data Source(s): The Farm Advisory Service^[3].

Commentary: 

Whilst it is too early to judge the full implementation of the policies, proposals and milestones in the agricultural chapter of the Climate Change Plan given the short amount of time since it was published, we have seen a marked increase in the number of carbon audits that have been taken forward compared to the 2018 baseline of 150. This increase has taken us past our target of 200 and can be attributed to farmer participation in the Beef Efficiency Scheme and increased awareness in the wider agricultural community. Irrespective of the rationale for taking a carbon audit forward they provide farmers and crofters with insight into areas of their business where savings can be made both in greenhouse gas and monetary terms. As set out in the climate change plan, identifying win-win benefits is key to affecting long term change and we continue to work with our agricultural industry to achieve this.

Implementation Indicator For Policy Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5: 

Increase uptake of Integrated Land Management Plans (ILMPs) provided through the Farm Advisory Service to 300 ILMPs delivered per year by 2019.

Most Recent Data: 144 ILMPs have been taken forward between the publication of last monitoring report.

Data Source(s): The Farm Advisory Service^[3].

Commentary: 

Whilst it is too early to judge the full implementation of the policies, proposals and milestones in the agricultural chapter of the Climate Change Plan given the short amount of time since it was published, we have seen an increase in the number of ILMPs that have been taken forward compared to the 2018 baseline of 125. This increase can be attributed to increased awareness in the wider agricultural community. An ILMP sets out a pathway to a sustainable and profitable future for our farms and crofts. They can identify opportunities across the whole holdings, such as improving habitats for wildlife to delivering a cross compliance assessment to highlight where there may be risk areas for the business. As set out in the climate change plan, identifying win-win benefits is key to affecting long term change and we continue to work with our agricultural industry to achieve this.