British agricultural industry called to join Race to Zero campaign

Ahead of COP26 next year, farm businesses are being called on to consider how they can play a part in the race for a net zero economy.

Companies, cities and regions across the country are being asked to join in on a national level as the global Race to Zero campaign is launched. Taking place in the run-up to COP26, hosted in Glasgow from 1st-12th November 2021, the campaign aims to mobilise leadership and support from businesses, and will see people come together to “unite behind a green global recovery”, according to COP26 president Alok Sharma.

The NFU has echoed the sentiment, and has extended the invitation to British agricultural businesses to continue the industry’s progress towards its 2040 net zero goal, despite recent challenges caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts said: “This year has been unlike any other and we have seen challenges we never anticipated. Farmers are still working to overcome the significant obstacles caused by COVID-19, and while things are unlikely to return to normal any time soon, we cannot put aside our net zero ambition, both as an industry and a country.

“We are already seeing the impacts of climate change – in the last six months alone we’ve gone from severe flooding to recent crippling dry spells. Every business, big and small, has to take action now if we are to reach net zero and our own ambition of producing the most climate-friendly food in the world.

“Climate-friendly farming makes sense for our businesses, and while making big changes and investments might not be practical for many farmers right now, we can still work to increase our productivity and measure our progress.

“This campaign is an opportunity to show the world that we are serious about our vision for a world-leading sustainable British farming sector, even in times of great and unprecedented challenges.”

The global Race to Zero campaign was recently launched on World Environment Day on 5th June. The campaign aims to rally ‘real economy’ leaders – from countries and regions, to investors and civil society – to commit to the same goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The campaign is under the stewardship of the UN High Level Climate Champions for the UK and Chile.