A South East Perspective

Navigating the changing landscape: The farmer’s role in climate action

DONALD DUNBAR , PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT | SAC CONSULTING

If truth be told I am a compulsive roadside farmer and recently on a trip south to London I got the chance to do a bit of high-speed trackside farming from the train. As I looked at the fields what struck me the most was the fact they show the scars of late sowing with backward crops, large bare patches, and vast areas of standing water from the many weeks of rain. The question is, is this the effects of climate change or just a spell of bad weather?

I am of the belief we are seeing first hand the impacts of climate change and have been for some time. I also believe there is now, for the first time, large swathes of farmers and growers of the same opinion. Compare this to a decade ago and most of them would have put it down to a ‘bad spell’. So, what’s changed?

Personally, I think we are seeing the phenomenon of the “movable middle” changing their position. You are not going to change the staunch believers and sceptics on either side, but you can influence those on the middle ground and it’s clear there is a shift towards more and more people believing in climate change.

Prior to COP26, discussions around greenhouse gases and carbon footprints were met with, at best, lukewarm interest. Up until then farming clients had little interest in where greenhouse gases occurred in their farming system or how and why they should reduce their carbon footprint. Initiatives like the Beef Efficiency Scheme got the ball rolling on carbon auditing and the Farming for a Better Climate started the conversations that have led to better awareness, but enthusiasm lacked.

Post COP26, a surge of farmers began seeking carbon audits, signalling a tangible shift in mindset. So, what has changed? Well, the Scottish Government dangling a financial carrot of support for one. However, we have also seen the private sector driving the change and adapting their supply chains accordingly to lower their carbon footprint through the inputs they purchase from others.

I agree that there is an ever-present threat of “green washing”, and this further emphasises the importance of our farmers backing science-backed decisions rather than PR driven ones. The recent COP28 was also a turning point and signalled a “fossil fuel phase out”.

Farmers must transition from viewing themselves as part of the problem, and instead recognise and embrace the fact they are a key part of the solution. They need to find their voice and take the opportunity to remind the public of the amazing job they do in providing fresh, local, and safe food. In doing so they are contributing changing the position of the ‘movable middle’.

As for the year ahead, the standing water will drain, fields will dry out and new crops will be sown. Farmers are a resilient bunch, but they need to build that same resilience into their business plan, protecting it for the future. Resilience to climate change, resilience to policy change, resilience to market volatility through collaboration innovation and diversification.

At SAC Consulting, we stand committed to walking every step of this transformative journey with farmers, and we welcome you to reach out to our consultants to see how we can support you and your business.

Get in touch donald.dunbar@sac.co.uk