Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research: Strategy 2027 to 2032

Annex D: Integrating Research and Real-World Solutions: The Role of Living Labs in Scotland’s Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management Strategies

Introduction

A key impact challenge for the research programme is to support changes not only to land use and land management practice, but also to the wider environmental and nature based challenges identified in this strategy, that deliver against multiple objectives from a finite land resource. Change processes must acknowledge historical patterns of management and use, the knowledge and skills of land managers, ongoing climate change, and global economic uncertainty.

The scientific research in this programme is targeted at filling knowledge gaps identified in the five Missions. However, translating science and evidence into outcomes requires further steps. Engagement between researchers and practitioners (farmers, crofters, land managers) is critical. In a theory of change, outcomes (like sustainable, regenerative agriculture) arise from outputs, like improvements to management practice, deployment of innovations, changes in land use, coordination with wider networks on shared goals and so on. Research can provide inputs to support delivery of these outputs. But a co-creation and/or co-development process is a fundamental component of moving from lab study to field implementation, from experiment to farm decision making, and from model to landscape reality.

By definition, Living Labs (LLs) are user-centered partnerships that integrate research and innovation processes in practical, real world settings, such as communities or on farms. LLs focus on co-creating and testing realistic and just solutions to address key sustainability challenges, at the right scale, with the right mix of disciplines and knowledge, and over the time needed to build trust and deliver impact and effective shared learning. LLs are designed to help agencies, land managers and/or communities apply better or best practices in working landscapes. They bring together scientists and practitioners to work on real-world economic and sustainability challenges. By combining scientific research with practical experience and delivery, LLs encourage shared learning, innovation, better understanding of problems and solutions, and identification of realistic and just solutions.

LLs promote collaboration across different fields and types of knowledge. Their success depends on trust among participants and long-term observation of results. In Scotland, it’s especially important to consider the variety of landscapes and land uses. LLs can help create region-specific solutions and should be seen as a key part of national research efforts. LLs turn scientific knowledge into practical actions through deep collaboration and should identify opportunities to incorporate input, support, and additional resourcing from stakeholders and/or industry. In addition, joint working between relevant projects and across LLs and key stakeholders (i.e. a LL network and/or governance group) offers potential for shared learning (e.g. from more established LLs) and for increased impact (e.g. through upscaling LL activities).

Importantly, several activities in the current Strategic Research Programme (and more widely) already reflect a Living Lab approach, offering opportunities to build on existing projects and adapt networks and facilities (e.g. research farms and collaborative landscape scale projects such as Landscape Enterprise Networks). Expanding the scope and activities of existing research farms offers considerable scope for the development and expansion of Living Labs (e.g. through collaborations with wider farmer networks and Monitor Farms etc.).

Living Labs are flexible and varied, requiring engagement with the relevant landowners, land managers (farmers, crofters, forestry, FLS), industry and supply chains, regulators (SEPA, NatureScot) and/or other stakeholders (local government, utilities, community groups, eNGOs) and underrepresented groups. Those participating in Living Labs will require support and a structured, facilitated approach to engage, to minimise the burden on their time and capacity. In addition, a key aim of Living Labs should be that participants benefit directly from the innovations being tested, although it is recognised that in some cases it may take time for any benefits to be realised. Good baseline data (e.g. on biodiversity, greenhouse gases, or production) is essential. With stakeholder support, research can then test new practices to see if they improve outcomes and evaluation of outcomes can be used to track adoption of new practices and wider benefits for user groups and other stakeholders. Living Labs can be developed at different scales, over different durations and across a diverse range of thematic areas. The appropriate scale for Living Labs should be determined by the problem being addressed, the goals for innovation and the stakeholder landscape. Joint working across Living Labs (and key stakeholders) also offers potential for shared learning and for increasing impact through upscaling of activities.

Potential examples of Living Labs that link to and across Missions could include:

1. Catchment Resilience Living Lab. How can stakeholders within catchments develop shared understanding of climate risk, and its interactions with land management and community well-being?

2. Agroforestry Living Lab. How can agroforestry practices deliver sustainable land use solutions? What are the costs and benefits of silvo-pastoral practice in terms of economics, nature and climate?

3. Circular Bioeconomy Living Lab. How can the circular bioeconomy deliver multiple benefits to farmers, from methane capture to power generation?

4. Uplands Living Lab. How can very low agriculture capability land be used to maximise value to local communities and meet national climate and nature goals? What are the options to support better deer management, peatland restoration and livelihoods of rural communities?

5. Regenerative Agriculture Living Lab. How do varied proposed regenerative farm practices influence outcomes for biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, climate resilience and productivity, and what are the trade-offs among these?

6. Atlantic Rainforest Living Lab. How can stakeholders in the hyper-oceanic zone of Scotland work together to support the conservation of this iconic habitat and its biodiversity, and deliver improved livelihoods?

There are many other options, and these are only provided to aid discussion and co- development of the optimal configuration.