Government Action to Promote Sustainable Adaptation by the Agriculture and Land Management Sector in England

Abstract

Agricultural land covers over 70% of England and provides a wide range of important benefits to the society. These benefits are vulnerable to both the direct and indirect effects of climate change. Successful adaptation by the agriculture and land management sector is therefore vital, and this adaptation must be sustainable.

This chapter introduces the concept of sustainable adaptation and discusses the United Kingdom government’s approach to adaptation by the agriculture and land management sectors in England. We explain the importance of agriculture in England and the multiple benefits provided by agricultural systems, and briefly outline the pressures from climate change. We then outline a set of principles and a framework for decision making we have developed to help achieve sustainable adaptation. We describe how this framework is being applied to the development of adaptation policy for agriculture, and summarize some initial adaptation priorities that have been identified.

We discuss how sustainable adaptation by farmers and land managers can be encouraged, focusing on the role government can play, including the likely contribution that existing agricultural policies will make to adaptation. Significant challenges exist, not least uncertainty about the future. Nevertheless, the adaptation measures that we have identified as initial priorities correspond closely to existing agricultural and environmental good practice, providing a clear starting point for action.

Agriculture policy and adaptation policy are largely devolved to the national assemblies of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. Therefore this chapter will largely focus on England. However, in some cases policy or research (for example, the Climate Change Risk Assessment required by the Climate Change Act) is undertaken on a UK-wide basis, some statistics are collected for the UK as a whole, and many of the issues discussed are applicable across all administrations.