A new study has revealed that targeted farming interventions could slash agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in England by up to 30% while significantly improving water quality and biodiversity.
Researchers combined farm and environmental data to model the impact of mitigation measures across England’s farming landscape. The study, using the Catchment Systems Model, compared current agricultural emissions with a scenario implementing the feasible mitigation options at maximum levels.
The findings show that under business-as-usual conditions, the median global warming potential over a 20-year period (GWP20) stands at 4,606 kg CO2 equivalent per hectare, while over a 100-year period (GWP100), the figure is 2,334 kg CO2 equivalent per hectare. However, by adopting maximum uptake of mitigation measures, emissions could be reduced by up to 30% for GWP20 and 27% for GWP100.
Beyond emissions reductions, the study highlights the potential for significant co-benefits for water quality, with reductions in phosphorus and sediment loss estimated at around 34% in key catchment areas suffering from such water pollution. Co-benefits could also exist for biodiversity, as some mitigation measures also promote healthier ecosystems.
The research comes at a time of heightened focus on achieving net-zero agriculture while addressing broader environmental challenges and government priorities. With farming a key driver of emissions and water pollution, these findings provide crucial modelled evidence for policymakers designing England’s agricultural policies.
“This modelling study underscores the importance of balancing climate action with economic viability,” said lead author Dr Yusheng Zhang. “We found that the ratio of business-as-usual GHG emissions to monetized farm production varied widely, suggesting that financial incentives may be needed to encourage widespread adoption of mitigation practices.”
With the UK government committed to improving environmental sustainability in agriculture, these insights could help shape policies that not only cut emissions but also enhance the health of the country’s waterbodies and natural habitats.