Huge investment needed if the UK is to meet net zero targets, warns CAAV

The UK needs an ‘industrial scale and economy-wide transformation' in infrastructure if it is to cope with climate change and the drive to net zero by 2050.

Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) - a specialist agricultural professional body representing over 2,700 members throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - suggested the Government needed to invest in areas including the production of non-fossil fuel energy, building new homes and improving water infrastructure in order to meet its net zero target.

Speaking at the Western Counties Autumn Conference in Devon, Mr Moody also suggested farmers should be open to exploring ‘generous' Government funding in slurry storage to help 'reduce emissions'.

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"Currently, there is significant grant funding available to help farmers with this - the first round of schemes was worth £37m - the next two will be worth £160m," he added.

"Farmers in England are being offered up to £250,000 to get their slurry storage right .

"That is generous money and worth taking.

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"Farmers are getting carrots now but under evolving legislation, they are probably going to have to do it anyway under their own resources.

"2050 is only 27 years away, and we are moving on to second-generation net zero discussions, with an absolute focus on renewable energy."

You can find more information about CAAV here. 

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