It’s a time of real change in the world of agriculture. As the climate crisis takes centre stage, farmers are increasingly being asked about the environmental impact of their businesses, from GHG emissions to food waste, while at the same time navigating and adapting to increasing changes in growing conditions, the supply chain market, and the policy environment. These changes present both challenges and opportunities. Led by Catherine McCosker, a former farmer with years of practical experience in primary production, we help clients – from farmer groups and producer organisations to food manufacturers and retailers – to navigate the increasingly complex world of sustainable food production.

Regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture is rapidly gaining coverage and popularity in the agri-food sector. Its emphasis on outcomes over tick-box practices and its inclusion of key environmental issues (e.g. soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem services) as well as social issues makes it a desirable means through which to achieve sustainability goals within agri-food systems. 3Keel provides support in helping farmer groups, industry organisations, NGOs and food sector organisations to identify opportunities and delivery strategies for implementing regenerative agriculture in supply chains. 3Keel also works with farmers and land managers to identify opportunities for taking advantage of the increasing demand, both private and public, for ecosystem services such as water quality, biodiversity and carbon sequestration. A portion of these projects dovetail with the work we do on landscape innovation.

Production efficiency and food loss and waste

Food waste throughout the supply chain is of increasing concern to the public and to industry. Reducing food waste in primary production is a key way to increase production efficiency, improve business’ bottom lines, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture – stopping food waste could reduce the food system’s GHG emissions by 11%. 3Keel advises and provides support to farmers, producer organisations and food sector organisations in developing and delivering projects to measure and understand on-farm food waste levels and drivers, as well as how to use this information to identify production efficiency opportunities.

Climate mitigation and adaptation in agriculture

Natural climate solutions will be critical to delivering Net Zero goals made by industry and government. 3Keel works with clients in primary production to identify business and production climate risk, and corresponding opportunities for mitigation. Soil health has an important role to play in adaptation and carbon sequestration, and 3Keel helps to identify the right measures to improve it within the context of the farm business and supply chain. 3Keel also has extensive experience working with the Cool Farm Tool – and supporting the Cool Farm Alliance more broadly – for measuring on-farm GHG emissions, water footprints and biodiversity.

Our Agriculture team also supports 3Keel’s climate change team in helping supply chain clients to understand the effect of climate change on primary production in their global sourcing regions, and what they can do about it. We have geospatial specialists, technical expertise on climate, and a deep understanding of production systems and the food supply chain which we use to assist manufacturing and retail clients in areas such as:

• Integrating climate risk data with supply chain maps
• Developing concise, risk-based indicators around climate vulnerability and exposure
• Climate models affecting production viability, identifying patterns of flood risk, water scarcity, and pest and disease risk