New Beef and Lamb Environmental Roadmap aims for net zero

Beef and sheep producers are being offered a seven-point plan to help drive down their on-farm greenhouse gas emissions, as part of the UK-wide aim to achieve net zero by 2050.

Pulled together by the AHDB, in partnership with other farming and meat industry businesses and organisations, the new environmental roadmap is the latest iteration of the Beef and Lamb Roadmap, first launched in February 2025.

See also: UK beef and sheep numbers contract while prices hold up

This noted that agriculture is estimated to account for 11% of total UK emissions, including 49% of all methane (mostly from ruminants) and 71% of nitrous oxide (mostly from fertilisers).

“Beef and lamb farmers are facing growing expectations to demonstrate environmental progress,” says the updated Beef and Lamb Sector Environmental Roadmap.

“Farmers will need to show how they are improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact and making best use of resources.”

As such, the roadmap gives farmers, advisers, processors, retailers and policymakers a “shared evidence base for action”.

Supported with case studies, it shows what progress has already been made by the sector, and offers a practical action plan for 2026-30.

Suggested measures include:

• Optimising lifetime growth of beef and sheep
• Raising nutrition levels
• Improving animal health and productivity
• Strengthening genetics and breeding
• Building soil health
• Expanding grass-legume and multispecies swards
• Improving nitrogen efficiency.

For each, the report maps out where the sector is now, then offers practical advice on what can be done to drive further improvement.

Lower emissions

It suggests that, by following these measures, annual greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 1.9m tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2050, equivalent to 7.9% across the three sectors combined.

Andrew Loftus, beef farmer and technical steering group chairman, said: “This roadmap is about practical steps farmers can take now, without fear of regret.

“It recognises that beef and lamb must defend their reputation to retain their place in our diets.

“For most farms, the steps that reduce emissions are the same steps that support productivity, resilience and long-term profitability.”

The roadmap also highlights the need for better farm-level data, more transparent reporting and stronger alignment across incentive schemes, advice and supply-chain requirements.

Reaction

NFU Livestock Board chairman David Barton said: “This is a farmer-focused plan that gives beef and lamb producers a practical starting point for reducing emissions.

“By setting out seven practical, no-cost or cost-neutral measures, the roadmap gives farmers clear and achievable actions they can take now, all while supporting productivity, resilience and long-term profitability.”

Tony Goodger, head of communications for the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, added: “The Beef and Lamb Environmental Roadmap provides our processor members with scientifically robust data for inclusion in their Scope 3 emissions reporting, helping them align with the supply chain reporting used by retailers.

“It will also support British beef and British lamb within trade negotiations with global markets.”