The Committee on Climate Change have today released their report: 'Net Zero - The UK's contribution to stopping global warming'.

The report has elicited responses from many organisations across the UK.

NFU Deputy President Guy Smith said: “The NFU is working towards an ambitious goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of agriculture in England and Wales by 2040, as a contribution to the CCC’s proposed 2050 target. Our organisations are aligned: acting to tackle damaging climate change is vital.

“However, we will not halt climate change by curbing British production and exporting it to countries which may not have the same environmental conscience, or ambition to reduce their climate impact. Rather, we must farm smarter, focussing on improving productivity, encouraging carbon capture and boosting our production of renewable energy."

Gareth Morgan, head of policy (farming and land use) for the Soil Association, said:

“It’s clear that deep and radical changes are needed to the way we farm and manage the land – farmers should be seen as part of the solution and must be supported to make the transition to climate-friendly farming systems.

“Ample scientific evidence shows that a transition to green farming systems, like organic, agroforestry and silvopasture, would dramatically reduce agricultural emissions, while also supporting biodiversity, soil health and animal welfare. These changes, like improving soil health to lock in carbon, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel based fertilisers and adding more trees into the farmed landscape, can and must be implemented more widely."

Tom Fyans, deputy chief executive at the Campaign to Protect Rural England said:

‘Climate change is the greatest threat facing the countryside. From prolonged heatwaves and moorland wildfires, to severe and more frequent flooding, our countryside is under severe pressure from the impact of climate breakdown – but it will also provide many of the solutions.

‘By prioritising policies and funding that will see better land use, dramatically reduce emissions from agriculture, increase the planting of hedgerows and trees, and restore our peatlands, we can drive carbon back into the ground. Our transition to renewable energy must intensify and a deadline set for the phasing out of fossil fuels. The government’s pro-fracking agenda must be dropped altogether."