The global COP26 Race to Zero campaign aims to mobilise leadership and support from businesses and will run until COP26 takes place in Glasgow, which is now scheduled for 1-12 November 2021.

COP 26 President Alok Sharma has urged companies, cities and regions to join the campaign and “unite behind a green global recovery”, and the NFU is extending this invitation to agricultural businesses across the country to continue the industry’s progression towards its 2040 net zero goal.

NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts said:

“This year has been unlike any other and we have seen challenges we never anticipated. Farmers are still working to overcome the significant obstacles caused by COVID-19, and while things are unlikely to return to normal any time soon, we cannot put aside our net zero ambition, both as an industry and a country.

“We are already seeing the impacts of climate change – in the last six months alone we’ve gone from severe flooding to recent crippling dry spells. Every business, big and small, has to take action now if we are to reach net zero and our own ambition of producing the most climate-friendly food in the world.

“Climate-friendly farming makes sense for our businesses, and while making big changes and investments might not be practical for many farmers right now, we can still work to increase our productivity and measure our progress.

“This campaign is an opportunity to show the world that we are serious about our vision for a world-leading sustainable British farming sector, even in times of great and unprecedented challenges."