Measuring the impacts of Scotland's agricultural support – a national level monitoring framework

Strategic outcome 3: Climate change mitigation and adaptation

Climate change mitigation is primarily monitored in Scotland through the use of the Scottish Greenhouse Gas Inventory (SGGI). The indicators chosen for our sub-outcomes are drawn from categories within the SGGI. This will give the most accurate understanding of the impact of sustainable and regenerative practices. Total GHG emissions are allocated to agricultural subsectors using a methodology developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). The metrics taken from the SGGI refer solely to the agricultural sector portfolio. As such, they do not capture emissions from the Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) portfolio, which includes emissions from peatlands and permanent grassland. This could be improved on in future iterations of the framework.

Monitoring progress on climate adaptation is more complex than tracking emissions reductions. Unlike mitigation, there isn’t a single, universal measure of success or one clear target for adaptation. Instead, adaptation involves many different factors working together. Some of these are already measured under other sub-outcomes in this framework, such as through woodland on farmland, peatland restoration, or cover cropping.

The indicators are mapped below in Figure 4.

Indicators for baseline

• Use of highly efficient irrigation methods on farms (increasing)
• Percentage of holdings implementing flood/drought protection measures (increasing)
• Uptake of irrigation lagoons (increasing)
• Woodland area on agricultural land (increasing)
• Land area of peatland restored on agricultural land (increasing)
• Enteric fermentation emissions (decreasing)
• Nitrogen Use Efficiency (increasing)
• Agricultural soils emissions (decreasing)
• Fuel combustion emissions from agricultural machinery (decreasing)
• Manure management emissions (decreasing)

Sub-outcomes

• Adaptation
• Carbon stores
• Livestock emissions
• Soil emissions and efficiency
• Machinery emissions
• Slurry emissions

Strategic Outcome

• Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the agricultural sector are reduced in line with the five yearly carbon budgets, with actions outlined in the Climate Change Plan (CCP), and the ability to adapt to climate change is increased

Sub-outcome 3a: Adaptation

Enhance climate resilience on farms and in rural communities by increasing climate adaptation actions on farms and crofts

There are currently three indicators which sit solely in the ‘adaptation’ sub-outcome, although others may be added based on the recommendations in the last section of this report. Monitoring for the Rural Support Plan should also be viewed in conjunction with the Third Scottish National Adaptation Plan (SNAP3) Monitoring and Evaluation framework, which provides a more comprehensive monitoring plan for adaptation to climate change. Relevant indicators used for the SNAP3 can be found in the annex.

Sub-outcome 3b: Carbon stores

Maintain or increase carbon stores on agricultural land including below and above ground stores and those on peaty soils

While a significant proportion of existing carbon stocks are already held in soils and permanent grasslands, further increases in carbon sequestration rely on expanding and enhancing other natural assets. In particular, woodland and peatland systems are important natural stores of carbon. Peatland restoration and woodland creation can therefore support both climate change mitigation and adaptation goals, and biodiversity aims. Restoring degraded peatlands not only improves water retention and reduces flood risk but also prevents the release of stored carbon. Similarly, targeted woodland creation helps stabilise soils and improves natural flood management, while also sequestering carbon and supporting biodiversity.

However, the woodland indicator is intended to monitor change rather than promote woodland expansion in all circumstances. Any increase in woodland area should be balanced with the need to protect high-quality agricultural land and support resilient food production, and is safeguarded by the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group guidance.

Sub-outcome 3c: Livestock emissions

Reduce emissions from red meat and dairy, in particular by lowering emissions intensity through improved genetics and new technologies

The ambition is to reduce absolute emissions from livestock enteric fermentation in line with Scotland’s statutory climate targets.

Sub-outcome 3d: Soil emissions and efficiency

Minimise GHG emissions by reducing reliance on nitrogen fertiliser use and improving nitrogen use efficiency

The largest nitrogen input in arable agriculture are mineral fertilisers. It is important to note that Nitrogen Use Efficiency (defined below) in arable production inherently varies depending on farm type/systems, management, environmental conditions (soils, climate) etc. While good management can reduce losses, in practice some losses are inevitable due to continuous nitrogen transformation processes in soils and leaching.

Sub-outcome 3e: Machinery emissions

Reduce emissions from agricultural machinery

Agricultural machinery contributes to Scottish agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore decarbonisation of farm machinery is key to our journey to a more sustainable sector.

Sub-outcome 3f: Slurry emissions

Reduce emissions from the use and storage of manure and slurry

Effective slurry management allows farmers to recycle valuable nutrients, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers and lowering input costs, and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions - particularly methane and nitrous oxide.