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Annex A - Agriculture and Climate Change: Stakeholder Group - Terms of Reference
ACCSG REMIT
AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE : STAKEHOLDER GROUP - TERMS OF REFERENCE
Background
A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture: Next Steps, published in March 2006, recognised that there is mounting evidence about the prospect of significant climate change. Noting that the industry can make a contribution towards mitigating climate change, but that there are also business opportunities, it recommended that a stakeholder group should be established to evaluate and monitor agriculture's response to climate change, through mitigation and adaptation (including the potential for related business opportunities).
This note sets out proposed terms of reference for this stakeholder group.
Mitigation
1. To consider, and make recommendations on, practical measures that can be taken within the agricultural industry to contribute to the Scottish Executive's climate change objectives, and ways of facilitating the adoption of these measures.
The scope of this work is likely to include consideration of practical measures to stimulate reductions in food miles; reduction in fertiliser (organic and inorganic) and livestock emissions (including handling of waste); production of alternative energy sources from biomass; production of industrial materials to replace fossil fuel sources or materials that require high energy use for production (eg concrete); maintenance of stores of carbon in soils; carbon sequestration in growing trees; and increased energy efficiency.
Adaptation
2. To consider, in the light of available projections of the likely impact of climate change in Scotland, ways in which the agricultural industry could adapt, and to make appropriate recommendations to stimulate action.
The scope of this work is likely to include consideration of the need (i) to adapt farming systems in response to threats of extreme weather events, of changing weather patterns (including the risks of reduced water availability in summer and of increased flooding in winter), and of new and more vigorous pests and diseases; (ii) to optimise opportunities that may arise, including those for new crops and new markets; and (iii) to make land management changes in order to increase public and environmental benefits (eg alleviation of downstream flood risks and provision of habitat corridors for species migration).
Methods of work
This is a complex and challenging task. The group will be expected to complete its work by March 2008, but it is recognised that in this timescale it may not be possible to cover all aspects of the terms of reference in a fully comprehensive manner. In order to make progress, the group should focus on the following activities:
- agree, by December 2006, an action plan setting out a programme of work (and milestones) for the following 15 months;
- identify relevant research outputs in order to make full use of existing knowledge and identify knowledge gaps;
- if further research is deemed necessary, make specific proposals for such research and possible sources of funding (bearing in mind that it will need to compete with other research priorities and that, depending upon its nature, research may not be completed before the work of the group comes to an end);
- make proposals for specific actions that the sector can take to respond to the challenge of climate change; identify barriers that may be inhibiting action and ways in which these can be tackled; and suggest lead organisation(s) to take forward action;
- use whatever means the group considers most appropriate (eg publications, consultation exercise, seminars, conference) to communicate its findings to wider audiences within Scotland's land-based industries;
- prepare a final report by March 2008.
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