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Incentivising farmers to adopt renewable technologies would be a more effective way to encourage climate action rather than ‘draconian’ carbon tax proposals, according to members of the renewables industry.
Pat Smith, chair of the Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF), said that experience in other countries showed encouragement and support was the way to meet climate action targets.
He said: “Millions of tonnes of carbon can be displaced annually by the Government biting the bullet and putting the necessary supports in place to get farmers and business communities across the country to adopt renewable technologies.”
MREF, which represents companies involved in solar PV and battery storage, said these technologies could supply a significant proportion of the energy requirements for thousands of farms.
Anaerobic digestion
Smith said that livestock and tillage farmers who were struggling to make ends meet should be encouraged to adopt renewable green gas production on farms. He said this could be achieved using anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies.
Smith concluded: “Attractive incentives that reward farmers and business who install renewable energy systems, rather than tax increases, are needed. The Government should be rewarding businesses and farmers who are taking the lead on climate action.”
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