Climate Smart Agriculture Wales (CSA Wales)

Supporting low carbon, climate resilient livestock agriculture for Wales

Improving farm efficiency and sustainability by managing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage

Our survey for sheep, beef and dairy farmers in Wales is now open:

The project aims to provide:

  • A set of GHG emissions mitigation measures for livestock production systems in Wales, developed with and backed by stakeholders, evaluated and designed to ensure Welsh agriculture fulfils the requirements of the decarbonisation programme
  • A recommended system for monitoring GHG emissions from Welsh livestock production systems, based on Key Performance Indicators and a fit-for-purpose carbon footprinting tool
  • Assessing sectoral climate change adaptation plans for Red meat and dairy production

CSA Wales adopts a joined-up approach including close engagement with stakeholders, including industry representatives such as HCC and AHDB, in order to ensure that, in addition to reducing emissions, the recommended management options also:

  • contribute to economic efficiency
  • are practical to deliver
  • support the flourishing of Welsh Natural Resources
  • are consistent with the Wellbeing and Future Generations Act
  • support the development of Brand Wales

The project seeks cost-effective solutions which reduce global emissions, recognising the danger of meeting targets by shifting emissions between countries. Aims will be achieved through three work packages in the tabs below.

Project Team

 If you would like some more information, or to discuss this project, please email rpk@aber.ac.uk

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Work package 1

Evaluating methods for estimating GHG emissions & mitigation, and identifying data needs

  • Evaluate systems for assessing and monitoring GHG emissions and mitigation potential from the dairy and red meat sectors
  • Define specifications for a fit-for-purpose monitoring tool for Wales
  • Apply sensitivity analysis to evaluate the technical potential of the most promising on-farm mitigation solutions, and use the information to rank these solutions

Work package 2

Identifying and evaluating novel GHG mitigation solutions

  • With stakeholders, compare the practical and technical potential of solutions, to identify the most feasible and effective options
  • Investigate co-benefits (such as improved water quality and other ecosystems services) and trade-offs associated with the options
  • Recommend novel options for demonstration on commercial farms, covering major sources of GHG emissions and focus areas for carbon sequestration & offsetting

Work package 3

Developing adaptation strategies for Welsh livestock agriculture under climate change

  • Synthesize knowledge on likely climate change impacts on agricultural systems
  • Examine adaptation strategies for Wales under climate change, in order to produce sectoral adaption plans for Red meat and Dairy production