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A more sustainable solution is required for the UK’s food system, ensuring longer-term benefits and security to farmers, consumers, the economy, and the planet.

As such, significant change is needed across the entire food system to address the multiple environmental, societal and economic issues embedded in our current agricultural systems. Foremost among these are the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, alongside the economic pressures of increasing input prices for farmers.

 

Bridging the investment gap

 

Private finance has a powerful role to play in accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by actively scaling the information and access to green finance specifically tailored to farmers and food producers.

  • Possible solutions could include farmers and food supply chain businesses working together to reduce emissions and store carbon. By using accurate measurements for on-farm reduction and sequestration schemes, food businesses can verifiably reduce their own scope 3 (supply-chain) emissions through direct financial support to farmers. In this way, the emissions reduction benefit is shared between the farmer and the buyer.
  • This requires government, farmers and the food supply chain to agree on a common set of metrics that comprehensively measures the sustainable outcomes from the change in farming practices. In doing so, farmers can be rewarded for achieving targets by the government, their supply chain customers, and even other private sector players who would like to support nature-based solutions in the UK.
  • The financial sector can also be part of validating this mechanism, bringing a creditworthiness perspective to these dynamics. By recognising that emission reduction efforts by farmers will make their businesses more attractive to their retail customers (as well as helping to reduce risk), banks can subsequently reflect this in the cost of lending.
  • Banks can also partner with food retailers to provide transition finance to their farmers to reduce emissions in a way that is comprehensive and scalable.
  • More broadly, financing is also needed to provide innovative solutions in managing farms and the industrial food system. For instance, satellite data can support farmers in sustainably managing their farms within a broader ecological system, while also preparing for extreme weather shocks and adapting to long-term weather effects. Blockchain solutions can also enable traceability and transparency on the carbon footprint of food production.

 

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To find out more about our support for the agriculture sector, please contact Ian Burrow, Head of Agriculture and Energy: Ian.Burrow@natwest.com

Disclosures

This material is published by NatWest Group plc (“NatWest Group”), for information purposes only and should not be regarded as providing any specific advice. Recipients should make their own independent evaluation of this information and no action should be taken, solely relying on it. This material should not be reproduced or disclosed without our consent. It is not intended for distribution in any jurisdiction in which this would be prohibited. Whilst this information is believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified by NatWest Group and NatWest Group makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) of any kind, as regards the accuracy or completeness of this information, nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising in any way from any use made of or reliance placed on, this information. Unless otherwise stated, any views, forecasts, or estimates are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of NatWest Group’s directors or officers, as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

Green Loans with no arrangement fee are open to applications from eligible UK businesses with an annual turnover of less than £25m (other than for eligible UK Real Estate Finance businesses for whom alternative eligibility criteria may apply) who are seeking to take out a loan to acquire assets that fall within the eligible list developed by the bank and subject to review and change on an ongoing basis. Security may be required. Fees (other than arrangement fees) may apply. Over 18s only. Subject to status, eligibility and approval. Business use only. Any property or asset used as security may be repossessed or forfeited if you do not keep up repayments on any debt secured on it. Failure to comply with the terms of the loan agreement could lead to an event of default under the loan and (depending on their terms) may also impact other facilities of the borrower. Terms apply.

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