A YOUNG farmer from Hampshire is encouraging Gen Z to consider a career in farming in order to help the industry reach carbon emission targets.

Arla farmers, including Adam Johnstone, are calling on more young Brits to enter farming in the next decade to help the industry meet its carbon targets. Adam runs a farm in Rotherwick.

One in three young Brits want a career that works to tackle climate change, but the majority aren’t aware that the modern role of a farmer works to reduce emissions and find new ways to do so.

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With recent news suggesting that the UK is falling behind on its national carbon emission targets, Arla is calling on the younger generation to enter farming in the next decade. Arla are the largest dairy company in the UK.

When asked about the role dairy farmers play in tackling the climate crisis, 67 per cent of young people didn’t know that farmers spend most of their time using technology to gather and analyse data, working to improve the sustainability of their farms.

As a major employer and business in the farming community, Arla are aiming to attract the next generation of farmers to help deliver future changes. The business plans to engage the Government in this mission, and aims to raise awareness of new initiatives.

Director of UK agriculture at Arla, Paul Savage, said: “Our farmer owners are dedicated to continuing their progress to meet the cooperative’s climate targets of reducing emissions on farms by 30% by 2030. However, sustainability is also about ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future and that is why we need our younger generation to step-up and consider a future in dairy.

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“Our research shows that over two thirds of 18–24-year-olds think it’s important that farmers use renewable energy technologies, but nearly half of those surveyed were unaware that solar panels and wind turbines can already be found on many farms and often have the capacity to generate enough energy to export to power homes in the local area.

"There is clearly a knowledge gap within Gen Z Brits, and it’s our job at Arla, alongside the Government, to ensure there are enough future farmers in place to help drive the changes that will help the industry meet its climate commitments.”

For more information on Arla and its net zero ambitions, visit arlafoods.co.uk/sustainability.