Agriculture contributes around a quarter of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making it a significant contributor to climate change.
Conversely, it is also one of the sectors worst affected by climate change. Farming and crofting will need to adapt to cope with the consequences of flooding, drought, unseasonable weather, and increased pest and disease risks.
Actions
We:
- support the agriculture industry to adapt its practices to cope with climate change
- oppose the cultivation of GM crops
- manage nitrate vulnerable zones in Scotland
- produce guidance on the prevention of pollution from agricultural activity (known as the PEPFAA Code)
- produce guidance on use of pesticides
- established the Agricultural Weather Advisory Panel to aid information sharing and resilience
-
established farmer-led groups to develop advice and proposals on how to cut emissions and tackle climate change
Background
Also worth seeing: environment and climate change topics
Bills and legislation
The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 gives us the powers to deliver the Agriculture Reform Programme, ensuring that future support is focused on high-quality and sustainable food production, cutting emissions, and restoring nature.
Contact
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Telephone: 0131 244 4000
Post: Scottish Government local area offices