Climate Friendly Food

Climate Friendly Food is a social enterprise that promotes practices that reduce the carbon impact of farms and food production.

"We believe that by following low-carbon practices, farms have the potential to absorb more carbon than they emit," explains Jonathan Smith, Chair of Climate Friendly Food. "Soil, woodlands and hedgerows can absorb vast quantities of carbon dioxide which, if managed correctly, can be locked up for generations."

Calculating carbon footprints

In October 2009 Climate Friendly Food launched a carbon calculator and low-carbon certification scheme to help organic farmers and growers reduce their carbon footprint. The carbon calculator provides a straightforward way for any organic farmer or grower to work out their carbon footprint.

"Measuring your carbon footprint is the first step towards reducing it. Any organic farmer or grower can visit our website and use the free carbon calculator to get a better understanding of where their farm's emissions are coming from," explains Jonathan. "Sometimes the results can be surprising. For example, they may well be aware of having a high level of diesel emissions, but they might not have thought about the large amount of methane being produced by their livestock."

Making a commitment

Organic farmers and growers can also apply to join the Climate Friendly Food low-carbon certification scheme, to show their commitment to organic production and lowering their carbon footprint. It also entitles the farmer or grower to use the certification logo on their products.

"The scheme works on a participatory certification model, with farmers inspecting other farms," says Jonathan. "Farmers and growers joining the scheme have to commit to a range of carbon-cutting initiatives, which might include reducing their use of liquid fuels, increasing the heat efficiency of their buildings, planting more woodlands and hedgerows, or minimising the amount of animal feeds they buy in."

There are around 4,500 certified organic farmers and growers in the UK and the Climate Friendly Food team hope that around 500 will have joined the low-carbon certification scheme by the end of its first year of operation. The team also plans to develop a number of new online resources for farmers and consumers. These include an online food directory to help consumers find organic food producers who are committed to low-carbon principles and a carbon calculator tailored to the needs of non-organic farmers and growers.