CLA Game Fair: Improvements for CALM calculator

The impact of environmental stewardship schemes on a farm and its carbon balance can now be more accurately measured since further help was given by Natural England.

It was launched by Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Natural Environment on the first day of this year’s CLA Game Show.

CALM (Carbon Accounting for Land Managers) was originally designed to measure greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and its carbon sequestration from production agriculture - allowing farmers to calculate the carbon balance of their businesses.

The new improvements mean the tool can now understand the carbon savings delivered through agri-environment schemes - which are most likely to improve the GHG balance on farm - and will help farmers manage their carbon footprint more efficiently.

Speaking at the launch on the CLA stand, Environment Minister Richard Benyon, said: “We welcome this new work on the CALM calculator, which is showing itself to be extremely valuable in assisting farmers make the most of opportunities to contribute to managing the impacts of Greenhouse Gas emissions.”

CLA President William Worsley said the pilot run of the upgraded calculator suggests environmental stewardship schemes can make a worthwhile contribution to GHG emission reduction on farms, which ultimately can lead to cost savings.

CALM can also provide land managers who have not considered Environmental Stewardship schemes before with accurate information about the role such schemes can play in their future business.

The calculator is free an all users are guaranteed confidentiality of any data they enter online.

For more information visit www.cla.org.uk/calm

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