New publication: Temporal evolution of the environmental footprints of intensive farming across England
A new study was published yesterday in PLOS One by Yusheng Zhang and Adie Collins at Rothamsted Research. Titled “Temporal evolution of the environmental footprints of intensive farming across England”, this work explores the evolving environmental footprint of intensive farming in England in 2010, 2016 and 2021.
Key highlights:
- By 2021, intensive farming in England achieved median reductions of 18% in Global Warming Potential (GWP100), 13% in eutrophication potential, and 21% in acidification potential compared to 2010.
- There was a 3.7% increase in land for “general cropping” and a 12% reduction in registered cattle populations by 2021.
- “With increased demand for reliable evidence to support the continued reduction of environmental footprints from agricultural production throughout the world, regular strategic assessments using available modelling tools could play a significant role for informing both policy and management at national scale.”