Measuring and mitigating UK agricultural soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

The UK has committed to reducing national GHG emissions to Net Zero as part of its ambitious plans for tackling climate change. Strategies for reducing annual agricultural emissions equivalent to 46.5 MtCO₂e yr^-1 include afforestation, peatland restoration and bioenergy with carbon capture. Whilst implementing such approaches will reduce national GHG emissions, remaining traditional agriculture practices will form a proportionally larger component of our overall national GHG emission. There are limited options available for agriculture to reduce emissions, reflecting some of the fundamental biological processes involved. Exploring options for lower intensity GHG farming in grassland and cropland systems is therefore an important research priority. My talk will cover UK CEH activity in measuring and mitigating soil agricultural emissions including bioenergy, biochar and use of alternative nitrogen fertiliser sources. I will also introduce new GHG measurement technologies that are being used to deliver more robust assessments of soil GHG mitigation strategies.