The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) has launched a new challenge, supported by Defra, to encourage positive climate change action by asking young farmers to share their solutions for reaching net zero emissions by 2040.
Working with industry partners, including the National Farmers Union (NFU) and Championing the Farmed Environment (CFE), the challenge puts YFC members and next generation farmers in charge of their future by becoming a climate change advocate for the industry and the UK.
The government has set a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and the NFU has an industry ambition for British agriculture to reach net zero by 2040. The NFU is working with farmers and growers to help them move forward towards this ambitious target, focusing on a range of measures including improving farming’s productive efficiency, capturing more carbon on farmland and boosting renewable energy and the wider bioeconomy.
According to the NFYFC, ‘The challenge involves sharing ideas or practical examples to help reach the NFU’s ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Judges aren’t looking for a final polished solution but want to hear thoughts on future mitigation methods for any farming and growing sectors or machinery development. Topics to consider include on-farm applications for carbon capture and storing, auditing, energy efficiency and renewable on-farm energy.’
NFYFC’s YFC AGRI Chairman George Baxter said, “By taking part in the video challenge, YFC members and next generation farmers can play an active part in helping to achieve the net zero ambition, share ideas and most importantly, have their voices heard in high places.”
Photo source: NFYFC