Environment Baselining Pilot – Frequently asked questions

Here are frequently asked questions about the Environment Baselining Pilot.

Visit the Environment Baselining Pilot homepage

FAQ

When is the pilot taking place?

The Environment Baselining Pilot is funded to run for five years, from 2024 to 2029.

What are the aims of the pilot?

The pilot project aims to:

Evidence the range of carbon stocks both above and below ground and understand what impacts them
Support a change of narrative from ‘gross emissions’ to ‘net carbon’ by showing the scale of carbon sequestration
Push the boundaries of the technology to understand what’s possible from remote sensing in terms of environmental metrics
Pilot a measuring, reporting and verification system that can help reporting of actual data instead of averages
See whether better data and knowledge can support farmers to change behaviour
Underpin the industry’s reputation with evidence about the environmental services that farmers provide

How is the pilot being funded?

The pilot is a £5m project. This has been largely funded by AHDB levy, with support from QMS for 22 participating beef, sheep and pig farmers in Scotland.

What will it measure and show?

It will measure:

Carbon stocks in the soil, trees and hedges across farmland, including woodland. A carbon audit will estimate the farm’s net carbon position (the balance of that farm’s emissions, taking account of carbon removals and sequestration)
Water run-off risk
Habitat connectivity

Together, this information will provide an individual baseline of the farms’ environmental credentials.

Who is carrying out the measurements on farm?

Specialist contractors are involved, including:

Bluesky – LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanning
Trinity Agtech – Interpreting LIDAR data to assess above-ground carbon stocks in trees and hedges (and their roots) and developing run-off risk maps
Agricarbon – Soil sampling and analysis of soil organic carbon and nutrient levels
Agrecalc – Carbon calculator used for carbon audits
ADAS (and SAC Consulting in Scotland) – Helping farmers with carbon audits and action plans

Can my farm be involved in the pilot?

No. Recruitment took place in 2024, and no more farms can be added.

How were farms selected?

AHDB reviewed 509 expressions of interest through a three-stage selection process to ensure impartiality. The final 170 represent:

A range of sectors across Great Britain (cereals and oilseeds, beef and lamb, pork and dairy)
Different production systems within each sector
A variety of land management uses and practices, including the use of animal manure on arable land
A number of mixed farms to explore how mixed farming systems impact carbon stocks and other measurements
A diverse range of soil types to indicate carbon stock levels under different conditions
Farmers willing to take part for the full five years

Does AHDB have the budget to re-measure during this project?

AHDB plans to re-measure the baselining farms after five years. The pilot is looking at how to make this more affordable and part of a national baselining scheme. If funding is required from AHDB sector councils, this will fall into the normal three-year budgeting process at the appropriate time.

What will happen after the pilot finishes?

AHDB hopes baselining is rolled out to every farm across the country, creating a nationwide data set that brings integrity to the industry and enables more accurate reporting to show the true picture of GB agriculture’s environmental credentials.

AHDB will be working with stakeholders and the Government to discuss how this could be supported by the industry in the long term.

Who should I contact if I have further questions?

Please contact your usual AHDB contact or email environment@ahdb.org.uk