Hundreds of farmers across nearly 200,000 hectares have informed a scientific review of sustainability metrics, creating benchmarks that demonstrate the benefits farms deliver.
The science protocol for Soil Association Exchange – which provides an environmental impact measurement to any farmer – has undergone a six-month review using two years of in-field experience from the 500 farmers working with the platform.
Led by independent scientists, the revision has nearly doubled the Exchange metrics across six core themes of soil, water, biodiversity, carbon, animal welfare and social impact.
The holistic metrics with Exchange cover everything from soil health and habitats to water and nitrogen runoff, and the importance of sustainable food security is also recognised.
The new protocol includes a food production measurement and biodiversity is measured where farming practices support wildlife – not just in areas set aside for nature.
These metrics are now being used to create benchmarks among Exchange farmers, allowing them to assess how they are performing in areas where there is no industry or government-led baseline. Crucially, this includes soil health and carbon sequestration.
Farmers will be able to see how they are doing compared to all other users and see how factors like enterprise type and geography affect the benchmark.
Soil Association Exchange Chief Executive Joseph Gridley said: “Farmers are on the front line of the battle to produce food and restore wildlife in the face of climate change, so it is essential they are part of the solutions.
“The hands-on knowledge that only farmers hold has been combined with cutting-edge expertise from academics to develop the Exchange sustainability metrics. They recognise the wide range of services farmers deliver and that farm sustainability is about so much more than carbon.
“Not only do farms play the vital role of providing us with food, they also are habitats for wildlife and many act as a social hub. That is why we have almost doubled our sustainability metrics, which are backed by scientists and farmers and measure everything from soil carbon to food production and community engagement.”
To get involved or find out more, visit www.soilassociationexchange.com.
