Convened by the CCC (Climate Change Committee) to offer challenge and critical review to the Committee’s work on agriculture for the CB7 (seventh carbon budget), the AAG (Agriculture Advisory Group) bought together a small number of agriculture experts from across the UK.
The group is an advisory and not a decision-making body and is independent of the CCC.
The CCC advises the UK and devolved governments on national GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions targets that can be delivered at the least financial cost.
Policymakers must then consider if and how this advice might be delivered and implemented, including consideration of possible impacts on communities.
The AAG believed that the high-level, top-down approach of the Committee presented significant risks to the wide range of farming systems and business structures in England and Wales, and to meeting other economic, environmental and societal goals and challenges.
Recommendations to government
In its recommendations to policy makers, the group called for a holistic, integrated approach; one that:
- Invests in data collection, harmonisation and utilisation for strategic baselining.
- Supports practical business action through a package of incentives, tools, knowledge exchange, and training.
- Makes a step change in assessing, managing and responding to weather and climate shocks, risks and opportunities.
- Is much more positive about the contribution that farming businesses, agricultural land, and farmers can make to meeting the climate challenge.
The NFU and NFU Cymru welcomed this opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with the CCC and will continue engaging with the Committee’s secretariat and members.
- Read the Agriculture Advisory Group report.
- The NFU’s response to the CCC’s CB7 advice.
- The NFU was also a member of the CCC’s Food and Trade Advisory Group.
