An interesting report has just been published by WWF Scotland, produced by Nic Lampkin and colleagues , which identifies the potential for addressing Green House Gas emissions in Scotland through a range of measures including:
Reduction in nitrogen fertiliser use
Use of legumes
Reducing methane emissions through dietary changes of ruminants
Animal health and breeding
Increased organic farming
Agroforestry
It is pointed out that market forces alone will not bring about these changes and that policy changes will be required:
• Farming system payments for innovative approaches • Input reduction and improved soil management, including support for advice and investments • Regulatory and fiscal options including input taxes and quotas or tradeable carbon quotas linked to input use and sequestration opportunities • Carbon, nitrogen and sustainability auditing • Training, advice and skills • Improved greenhouse gas monitoring and statistics • Targeted research, and • Dietary change and food waste reduction
Lampkin, Nicolas ; Smith, Laurence and Padel, Katrin (2019) Delivering on net zero: Scottish Agriculture. A report by Organic Policy, Business and Research Consultancy for WWF Scotland , Edinburgh.