This report looks at options for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from Scottish Farms. It analyses a range of options across changes in management of fertiliser, soil and manure, livestock feeding and energy use. Some of these changes require an investment in new tools, equipment or other installations on farm.
The analysis indicates that the 20 technology options considered could reduce emissions by between 9 and 150 kt CO2e GHG annually if they were implemented to their fullest potential across Scotland. Doing this would also have other positive environmental effects (e.g. with regards to soil or water quality).
The report recommends use of complementary incentive mechanisms to encourage uptake of the technologies. These could include:
- increased emphasis on these technologies in extension services or mechanisms;
- support for collaborative implementation of the technologies;
- foot printing/accounting schemes for validating and signalling on-farm and supply chain progress; and
- a comprehensive approach to each stage of the supply chain.