Viewpoint: Act local, effect global: Integrating farm plans to solve water quality and climate change problems

Local farm plans can be used to minimise the effect of food production on water quality and greenhouse gas emissions but must be integrated with global markets to incentivise farmers to implement plans.

By 2050 we must feed c. 10 billion people and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and poor water quality. However, farmers are faced with a complex array of regulations and market signals about how to do this.

We advocate for an integrated farm plan that captures complexity, and shows how to act to improve water quality and reduce emissions.

While compliant with local regulation, plans must integrate with global markets to incentivise farmers to take action.