Guest, Emily J., Vickers, Roger, Allen‐Stevens, Tom, McArthur, John, Kindred, Daniel, Iannetta, Pietro P. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3451-4259, Howard, Becky, Wilkinson, Tom, Hague, Ben, Melita, Skye and Hannam, Jacqueline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6661-3537 (2026) Nitrogen Climate Smart: cutting UK agricultural emissions using a farmer‐focused theory of change. Annals of Applied Biology, 189 (2):e70146. ISSN 0003-4746 (Print), 1744-7348 (Online) (doi:10.1111/aab.70146)

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Abstract

The UK is facing increasing pressure to achieve net zero emissions to limit environmental damage and climate change. The agricultural sector contributes 12% of UK anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and thus has a crucial role in reducing UK total emissions. Despite knowledge and solutions being generated by agricultural research projects, many struggle to make impactful and measurable change which lasts beyond the lifetime of a short funding cycle. In this paper, we use the lack of uptake of UK-grown pulses, especially faba beans, despite their large potential for cutting carbon emissions, as an example of the gap between research and land management change. Despite their well-known environmental and nutritional benefits, pulses only comprise an estimated 5% (1 in 20) of UK arable rotations, compared to the rotational maximum of 20% (1 in 5), a switch which would reduce GHG emissions by 3.4 Mt CO2 equivalent (e) per annum. This would be equivalent to 7% of UK agricultural emissions, mainly achieved through reducing mineral nitrogen fertiliser usage and replacing soybean meal in livestock rations. While it is recognised that this 3.4 Mt per year target reduction cannot be achieved in the duration of a 4-year research programme, we propose a “theory of change” for maximising lasting impact that can be followed when designing future agricultural research programmes. Using the Nitrogen Climate Smart (NCS) project as a case study, we demonstrate a pathway to impact through meaningful farmer engagement, co-designed research questions, on-farm trials and knowledge exchange, essential to delivering long-term and long-lasting shifts in land management practice and climate impact, alongside bridging the gap between research, practice and policy.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	agriculture, climate smart farming, GHG reduction,
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 4 One Health Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Centre for Sustainable Agriculture 4 One Health > Ecosystems Services
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2026 13:31
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53975

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