Environmental Roadmap sets a clear path for sustainable pork production

The Pork Environmental Roadmap sets out a shared evidence-based framework to guide environmental progress across the industry. Developed by an industry-led steering group and facilitated by AHDB, it provides a clear direction for continued improvement and a stronger platform for demonstrating the sector’s environmental performance.  

Bringing together the latest data, practical experience and sector insight, the roadmap sets out a clear picture of where the sector is today and a coordinated plan for future action.

It’s designed to help the sector demonstrate progress, respond to growing scrutiny and strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of British pork production.

The roadmap is structured around seven strategic priorities:

• Net carbon
• Air quality
• Water stewardship
• Slurry, manure and nutrient management
• Biodiversity
• Waste and recycling
• On-farm energy

Across each area, it highlights the importance of robust data, consistent measurement and collaboration across the supply chain to deliver meaningful and measurable change.

The evidence shows that British pork production has already made significant gains.

A new life cycle assessment highlights an 18% reduction in carbon footprint between 2008 and 2023. Over the same period, emissions linked to land use and land-use change fell by 71%, reflecting major improvements in feed sourcing and pig diet formulation.

These improvements have been driven by long-term advances in efficiency, particularly feed efficiency, productivity and innovation across the supply chain.

The roadmap also sets out an action plan for 2026 to 2030, focused on strengthening the evidence base, scaling best practice and supporting the adoption of new technologies.

Progress will be monitored through regular five-yearly life cycle assessments, helping to ensure transparency and accountability.

The roadmap is intended to be a dynamic framework that will evolve over time, incorporating new evidence, case studies and innovation to support continuous improvement across the sector.

Hugh Crabtree MBE, Chair of the Pork Environmental Roadmap Steering Group, said:

“This roadmap is a significant step forward for the British pork sector. From the outset, we were clear it had to be grounded in robust evidence, and that principle has guided every stage of its development.

“It provides a transparent picture of where we are today, highlights the substantial progress already made and sets out a credible path for continued improvement.

“It will continue to evolve as new data, innovation and insight emerge, helping to ensure the sector remains both environmentally responsible and commercially resilient.”

He went on to say:

”If there are challenges to our findings, let's be hearing about them! We believe our progress to a more sustainable future will come from robust dialogue.”

Lizzie Wilson, Chief Executive of the National Pig Association, said:

“For producers, it’s about practical, achievable improvement. It supports better decision making, helps businesses prepare for future policy and market expectations, and reinforces the reputation of British pork as a sustainable, high-quality product.

“Most importantly, it ensures the sector is telling its own story with confidence, backed by data.”

The organisations and individuals that have officially provided their support to the roadmap: