Net-zero farming project awarded £30k in funding

A university study which aims to identify ways in which farming in Gloucestershire can be more sustainable has been awarded £30,000 in funding.

Led by the University of Gloucestershire (UoG), the new Gloucestershire Food and Farming for Net Zero project will work to identify ways to support positive changes to how people eat and farm across the county.

The funding has been awarded by UK Research and Innovation to support the UK’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Dr Aimee Morse, from UoG, said the work would include developing and implementing integrated policy frameworks to support changes in food consumption and production.

Experts from the university’s Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) will work with the Gloucestershire Food and Farming Partnership (GFFP) and Climate Leadership Gloucestershire on the initiative, which hopes to tackle the climate emergency and deliver additional benefits for nature, health and the economy.

Climate Leadership Gloucestershire comprises Gloucestershire County Council, the county’s six district councils, the NHS, police, the county’s universities and Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership.

Dr Benjamin Dent, from GFFP, said: “Everyone involved in food and farming has the potential to contribute to solving the challenges of climate change, nature recovery, healthy diets and food security.

“We need to look at these priorities together, not in isolation, because they are all interconnected. This project will enable councils and others to find more joined-up solutions."

Councillor Mike McKeown, chair of Climate Leadership Gloucestershire, said: “By collectively addressing the challenges and opportunities, we can drive positive, locally relevant, and sustainable changes that contribute to reaching net zero.

"Regenerative agriculture will be a key part of this transformation, helping to restore ecosystems while enhancing resilience to climate change."

The project is expected to report in May.

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