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Research has shown that organic farming can reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, increase on-farm biodiversity by 30%, and reduce soil erosion by 22%. Organic farms have also been shown to sequester and store significantly more carbon (44%).

The latest episode of David Attenborough’s epic TV series, Wild Isles, has highlighted the importance of managing farmland with nature in mind. In this blog, Vicki Swales explains the opportunity we have in Scotland to move towards more nature- and climate-friendly farming.

Watch the video of our Farm for Scotland's Future webinar to find out more about why farming is crucial to restoring Scotland’s nature and tackling climate change, and why we need a new funding system to help all farmers and crofters make the transition to sustainable farming.

Today members of Scottish Environment LINK’s Farm for Scotland’s Future campaign presented Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, with a petition calling for a new farm funding system that works for nature, climate, and people.

On 9 December, 28 organisations wrote to Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, following the publication of the Climate Change Committee's ‘Progress in reducing emissions in Scotland’ report.

A growing number of farmers and crofters are already working with nature and climate in mind by keeping their soils healthy, planting trees, and making space for wildlife but these farmers and crofters need more support.

Over the decades, agriculture policy has focussed primarily on food production with nature and the climate side-lined. But with so much agricultural land, there’s enormous potential to redress this and create a more harmonious relationship.