Webinar set for 9 May to debate  

NFU Scotland is tackling the fierce debate around carbon with an internal membership consultation and an open Webinar taking place on 9 May.

The consultation with members around the high profile and, at times, controversial subjects of carbon trading, carbon audits and carbon sequestration is underway.  

Responses will shape NFU Scotland’s submission to the UK Government’s current consultation on Developing the UK emissions trading scheme (UK ETS)  which examines the use of carbon calculators, the role of carbon sequestration, and how a carbon trading market for agriculture could work as part of a wider framework for emissions trading.

Ahead of submitting its response, NFU Scotland is hosting a webinar on Monday 9 May at 7.30pm to discuss.  All interested parties are invited to sign up for attendance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n1jPUfaWRKedhEV-Fb6NbA

NFU Scotland’s Climate Change Policy Manager Kate Hopper said: “As we start to shape Scotland’s future agricultural policy in a way that delivers sustainable food production whilst reducing emissions, the debate on all aspects of sequestration and carbon trading is intensifying and we need members’ views and experiences.

“We know farms and crofts emit greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices, but they can also store or sequester carbon. This means that farms and crofts have the potential to use carbon sequestration to both offset their own remaining emissions, or to sell this sequestered carbon as carbon credits to supply chain partners and businesses in other sectors.

“The UK government has recognised that there is significant interest and ongoing investment from the private sector in carbon trading, and that this new market, which has attracted a significant amount of media attention in recent times, has both risks and opportunities.

“The UK Government is now consulting on how to develop and regulate this new carbon market and whether the UK Emissions Trading Scheme would be an appropriate mechanism to regulate the market to prevent double counting and ‘greenwash’.

“The consultation is also examining the best ways of sequestering carbon on farm, the role of carbon calculators, evidence on if and why carbon auditing is a challenge, and how a nationwide tool could be implemented.

“I urge members to complete the consultation and all with an interest in carbon calculators, trading and sequestration on farm to attend our webinar on 9 May to hear more about this important opportunity to shape Government policy.”  

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 07788 927675