Together we are harnessing research to transform UK agri-food for net zero
Upcoming webinar - NOW FULLY BOOKED
Tim Lang: Civil food resilience and UK preparedness for food system shocks
21st January, 11-12.30pm
Renowned food systems thinker and scholar, Prof Tim Lang, has spent the last two years researching the UK food system’s preparedness for shocks. In this webinar he will draw on his soon-to-be-published report for the National Preparedness Commission which addresses the state of civil (ie the public’s) food resilience.
This webinar is now fully booked, but it will be recorded. Join our network to receive an email update when it is available.
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AI & reducing agricultural emissions – risks, opportunities & research gaps
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast opening up a world of new possibilities in multiple areas – and a lot of questions too. For food and farming, a big question is whether and how it can help us reduce emissions faster, in what is a critical decade for tackling climate change.
December’s webinar was a whistle stop tour of what AI might mean for crop and livestock production with three speakers, Andrew French, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham, Paddy Tarbuck, Innovation Lead in Agri-Food Sustainability at UK Agri-Tech Centre and James Strong, Research Software Engineer at Aberystwyth University.
DIGEST: National Food Strategy – an update
Progressing the National Food Strategy
Find out more about the recent announcement by Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on future food strategy. Starting in the new year, Defra will begin to engage with food system actors to co-develop the strategy. It will work across a number of government departments and has the support of the PM. Our Policy Champions analyse what was said.
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Big Tent AGM
11 and 12 March 2025
This year our annual meeting will be held in Manchester over two days. It’s a fantastic opportunity for members to gather together and engage with others working for change in the UK agri-food system. Expect engaging keynote speakers and a programme designed around inclusivity and involvement, with lots of opportunities for networking and breakout discussions.
Seed-funding the future
The AFN Network+ funds a range of projects that contribute to our mission. Our annual round of scoping studies are small- and medium-sized projects that explore issues related to achieving net zero through the agri-food sector. Our Stakeholder FlexFund supports AFN Network+ members with small-scale activities that explore, develop or trial solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in UK agri-food.
Webinars and podcasts
Our webinar and podcast series explores the transition to net zero in the UK agri-food system with leading movers and shakers. They provide deep and varied insight from across the sector, including farmers, scientists, policy analysts, community leaders, retailers, politicians, businesses and health professionals. Take part on the day or browse our growing library.
Featured report
What could the UK agri-food system look like in 2050?
How might the world look in 2050, and what sort of UK agri-food system might exist as a result? This report describes four possible futures and what policy planning and research will be needed under each, to move the agri-food system towards a net zero UK. Scenarios help us to think about possible challenges and opportunities ahead, and provide a route for planning and decision-making – which is the aim of this report.
