{"id":31343,"date":"2023-03-30T09:47:09","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T08:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=31343"},"modified":"2023-03-30T09:47:09","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T08:47:09","slug":"how-can-environmental-data-reduce-agricultures-impact-on-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/how-can-environmental-data-reduce-agricultures-impact-on-the-environment\/31343\/","title":{"rendered":"Linking environmental data with business decisions to reduce agriculture\u2019s impact on the environment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rebecca Geraghty, Chief Commercial Officer at Agrimetrics, outlines how assessing environmental data is crucial for reducing carbon emissions in the agriculture sector.<\/h2>\n

Agriculture is not short of views and opinions on how the industry can reduce its impact on the environment, particularly around carbon emissions. However, the assessment of environmental data is arguably the most effective way.<\/p>\n

Some experts have cited widescale tree planting or scaling back production as solutions. Yet both do little to help from a food industry perspective, particularly if the emissions associated with food production are just switched to another country, and it may even increase overall emissions.<\/p>\n

The farming industry recognises that land management measures (e.g. peatland restoration, enhanced soil carbon storage, enhancing hedgerows) do have a role to play. However, it is the changes that can be integrated into farming businesses that arguably offer win-wins for farmers \u2013 the link between productivity and sustainability should not be ignored. For example, actions like improving animal health, making better use of home-grown forage, and optimising fertiliser inputs all help reduce emissions as well as improve farm business performance.<\/p>\n

In addition, other factors, such as meeting renewable energy commitments, reducing food waste, and zero carbon modes of transport in the supply chain, all have a part to play. Arguably, the quicker we can bring new innovations to agriculture, the better for both our industry and society.<\/p>\n

Many of the decisions that can influence these actions can be made easier by the use of environmental data, but currently, a lot of data is locked away or untapped.<\/p>\n

How can data help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture?<\/h3>\n

The first step towards operating more sustainably is to have a reliable, accurate, and consistent method for monitoring emissions and impact and having regular access to data. The right environmental data enables more targeted management and mitigation activities at the farm and food supply chain level. It means better use of key inputs, more timely interventions, and less wasted productivity on ineffective practices. In short, it helps makes smarter, sustainable farming decisions.<\/p>\n

For example, it is at the farm level where emissions savings need to be made if the UK is to achieve its net zero targets, with agriculture the main sector responsible for nitrous oxide and methane emissions. To do this, farmers need to have access to more granular environmental data, ensuring any actions taken are then based on localised data at the individual farm and food business level.<\/p>\n

Too much data still remains locked away, underused and static \u2013 it is a critical yet untapped asset, often hugely valuable in the learnings it can bring.<\/p>\n

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Data that helps quantify greenhouse gas emissions with greater accuracy and at more business-specific levels will enable improved monitoring and, ultimately, mitigation. Helping farmers and supply chain businesses to measure and understand where they are now, what they can practically do to reduce emissions and encouraging regular monitoring is key. Many of the low-carbon farming practices will also save farmers money (e.g. the use of organic fertilisers and increased use of home-grown forage), improving both productivity and business resilience.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest challenges with using data is that although environmental tools are increasingly available, this plethora of tools can add to the confusion. Supporting farmers by providing simple solutions to access the relevant data is key to driving engagement, reducing agriculture\u2019s impact on the environment, and achieving the Net Zero targets.<\/p>\n

How can Agrimetrics help?<\/h3>\n

Agrimetrics is one of four Agri-Tech Centres with core funding from Innovate UK and was created in 2015 to help organisations realise the potential trapped in their environmental data. Agrimetrics launched its Data Marketplace in 2019 and has developed and delivered significant products and services for the wider agri-food sector.<\/p>\n

Agrimetrics, in partnership with Telespazio UK, has been awarded the contract to host the Defra Data Services Platform (DSP), which has 4,500 environmental open-access datasets which will make environmental data publicly accessible to farmers and the wider food industry.<\/p>\n

Projects to improve sustainability across the agriculture industry<\/h3>\n

Example projects where Agrimetrics has worked with businesses to use data to improve sustainability across their supply chains include:<\/p>\n