In the UK, farmers and growers are exploring how agriculture can better contribute to combating climate change. According to a National Farmers Union (NFU) case study, farming and forestry account for about 7% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ninety million tonnes of agricultural organic material, such as manure, are produced per year, which releases emissions into the atmosphere.

One solution to tackle the problem of methane emissions from livestock manures is the natural process of anaerobic digestion, which breaks methane down into biogas. The NFU’s report promotes Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants as one of the most promising mitigation options for reducing GHG emissions from animal manures and slurries, alongside the potential to deliver low carbon energy and improved nutrient management.

NFU cited the following benefits of AD systems:

• Increase farm business profit by selling or using the energy produced
• Help to mitigate climate change by capturing methane
• Help to better manage manures and slurries

The NFU has been promoting biogas within the UK as a substitute for using fossil fuels either on the farm or for off-farm energy customers.

This initiative was provided by the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP).