Net zero Green your eats A living standards-first approach to cutting emissions from agriculture and land use 3 February 2026 Zachary Leather Jonathan Marshall This report provides an assessment of the UK’s progress toward net zero in the land use and agriculture sector – the only major area where emissions have barely fallen over the past 15 years. It examines both sides of the challenge: cutting emissions from food production and reshaping how land is used. It finds that although decarbonising farming is technologically and operationally difficult, the overall economic cost is modest and the impact on food prices should be minimal. However, the burden on farmers’ living standards could be significant given the sector’s low productivity, limited pricing power, and financial fragility. It also highlights that major changes in how land is used represents a profound cultural and economic shift, particularly for tenant farmers who face insecurity if landowners respond to new environmental incentives.
