Leading voices have gathered to consider the challenges in achieving Net Zero in farming and food at the launch of the Harper Adams University Global Policy Forum.
At the same time as World Leaders gathered in Egypt for the COP 27 conference, the panel of thought leaders from across the agricultural and food sectors were gathered together to consider the challenges of transforming each, both in the UK and globally.
Each an expert in their area, they considered the challenges of making the goal of achieving net zero realistic and attainable for every day farmers and food producers.
Broadcaster Julia Bradbury chaired a lively discussion between the panellists, who were the director of Food Matters International Judith Batchelar OBE; director at Carbon Metrics and Harper Adams alumna, Helen Dent; professor of food policy at City University Timothy Lang; and deputy vice-chancellor of Harper Adams University, Professor Michael Lee.
Speaking afterwards, Ms Bradbury said: “The importance of debating these issues can’t be underestimated. It’s crucial that we find remedies to these complex problems and it’s clear we need cross-sector co-operation from Government, agriculture & food supply chains.
“The evening’s debate highlighted that solutions are vital – for our health, and the health of our animals, plants and planet.
“Chairing a debate between some of the expert voices who are working to make that difference was fascinating – the way we consider these issues is one of the key challenges we face.”
The event – before an audience of figures across the food and faming sectors – was held at Rabobank’s London headquarters.
It was the first event held as part of the ongoing Harper Adams University Global Policy Forum, a new initiative to increase the University’s engagement with Government, policy makers, business leaders and other opinion formers.
It also marked the first anniversary of the launch of the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, an initiative developed jointly with McDonalds UK&I, Morrisons and the NFU, which aims to educate, inspire and empower current and future farmers to achieve net-zero within a sustainable farming and food system.
