Two new reports said to detail the most comprehensive farm environmental baseline ever established, as well as the framework needed for sustainable farming in the UK, have been launched.
The Soil Association Exchange, worked with 12 industry partners to assess nearly 240,000ha of UK farmland across 685 farms.
Lead partner Lloyds Banking Group provided funding to more than 550 farms to be involved.
The reports are said to provide a clear roadmap for improving soil health, reducing carbon emissions and supporting biodiversity, while also enabling farm businesses to continue operating profitably.
Joseph Gridley, CEO of Soil Association Exchange, said: “Farmers are on the frontline of climate change and biodiversity loss, but they are also key to the solution. Every farm is different, so support is essential to help farmers navigate the complexities of sustainable farming.
“Our goal is to empower farmers with the tools they need to make positive changes for their businesses, their communities, and the environment while still producing high quality, nutritious food.
“From our research and the quantity and breadth of farms audited in the study, the need to adopt environmental measurement at scale is clear. Baselining UK farms with a common methodology provides a route forwards and addresses the real risk of inaction and scepticism in collating data.”
He added: “Our approach also offers farmers confidence to make informed decisions; balancing environmental sustainability with profitability, ensuring farmers have the tools and guidance they need to access the funding needed to support their transition.”
Lee Reeves, UK Head of Agriculture at Lloyds Bank, said: “The partnership between Lloyds Banking Group and the Soil Association Exchange is the most ambitious of its kind, focusing on a holistic view of farming’s environmental impact. Our reports showcase the opportunity to deliver actionable insights that help farmers improve practices to become more resilient, while also securing long-term profit.
“Sustainable farming is not just about reducing environmental impact – it’s about securing the future of the entire UK farming and food supply chain.
“Farmers need consistent support, reliable data, and financial incentives to make this transition successful.
“These reports set out a clear, data-driven pathway towards sustainable farming and a blueprint for environmental measurement that could be adopted more widely, giving UK farmers the confidence to thrive long-term, both economically and environmentally.”
A new cross-supply chain model is being piloted to reward farmers for sustainable practices, making up part of the ten-year partnership between the Soil Association Exchange and Lloyds.
The Exchange Market will pool funding from a range of supply chain partners, making payments to farmers over sustained periods to support the transition to more sustainable farming.
The outcomes of these practices will be monitored and verified using the Soil Association Exchange platform.
For more information go to www.soilassociationexchange.com