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For arable farmers one of the key inputs that has the biggest contribution to GHG emissions are synthetic fertilisers, responsible for approximately 31% of the industry’s emissions in the form of nitrous dioxide (N2O). According to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, agriculture contributes 84% of the UK’s total N2O emissions, so it’s likely this will be a key focus area for a reduction. Dieter Helm, professor in energy policy at Oxford University and chair of DEFRA Natural Capital Committee, believes that under the ‘polluter pays’ principle there needs to be some disincentive for emissions while ‘public money for public goods’ can offer incentives to encourage carbon sequestration, with “the greatest gains where farming has been most intense.” Speaking at the Sustainable Food Trust ‘Farming and Climate Change’ conference in July, he indicated that the carbon cost of red diesel, fertiliser and petrochemicals could potentially attract a carbon tax. But Dieter also believes that farming can’t be held to being “the climate change sector” while goods are imported with higher carbon footprints, “it’s nonsense to consider UK net zero without looking at imports from elsewhere.” As an example he cites a move to stifle British Beef production and import…
The post Destination Net Zero – Fertiliser is lightening its footprint appeared first on cpm magazine.
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