New UK Network to Help Agri-Food Sector Achieve Net Zero
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the launch of a new research network to help the UK’s agri-food industry achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The UK’s agri-food industry accounts for nearly a quarter of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this is therefore vital if the country is to achieve its net zero goals by 2050.
The new network will receive funding of £5 million to bring together UK researchers to explore ways to achieve this ambition. The network will further help the industry to:
- Enhance biodiversity.
- Maintain healthy ecosystems.
- Nurture livelihoods.
- Support healthy consumer habits.
- Minimise the environmental impacts of overseas trade.
The network will take a holistic approach in recognition of the fact that the agri-food industry extends beyond farming and involves areas including manufacturing, retail, consumption and waste management. It will therefore gather expertise from a range of research disciplines, including:
- Agriculture
- Biological sciences
- Natural sciences
- Environmental sciences
- Physical sciences
- Engineering
- Economics
- Social sciences
The network will be led by a team of four researchers: Dr Angelina Sanderson Bellamy, University of the West of England; Professor Tim Benton, University of Leeds; Professor Sarah Bridle, University of York; and Professor Neil Ward, University of East Anglia. It will receive funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), UKRI, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Dame Lynn Gladden said:
“The agriculture food system produces nearly a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions.
“By bringing together a multidisciplinary team and engaging a wide range of stakeholders, this project will explore how the journey from farm to fork could be made more sustainable.
“It will also help to meet the UK government’s strategy for achieving net zero by 2050.”
The funding will run for three years, starting in July 2022.