LEAF Global Impacts Report 2022
Agriculture and climate change The climate and ecosystem emergency is one of the biggest challenges of our time. With the UK government committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and global targets set by the UN at net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, global agriculture is under an intense spotlight – not only in terms of its environmental impacts but as a key part of delivering innovative climate change solutions. Globally, farmers are increasingly adopting more sustainable, regenerative and circular farming practices to protect and enhance depleted natural resources and ecosystems. By building healthier and more productive soils, delivering better air and water quality, enhancing biodiversity, improving energy efficiencies, and turning to more climate positive pollution control measures, farmers across the world are collectively contributing to climate change mitigation.
LEAF Marque: a pathway to more climate positive farming Climate change, population growth, resource protection, market volatility and increasing political uncertainties are challenges shared by farmers across the globe. Underpinned by the whole farm, regenerative principles of Integrated Farm Management (IFM), LEAF Marque certification offers a coherent framework to achieve more regenerative outcomes at farm level. We work together with our stakeholders to achieve a shared vision of a more productive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural sector. Combined with LEAF’s management tools, resources, and training, backed up by the ‘science into practice’ approach of our Demonstration Farms and Innovation Centres, certified businesses are empowered with the skills, knowledge and confidence to build the sustainability of their operations. LEAF Marque provides the means to demonstrate this to retailers, brands and consumers in a robust and independent way.
Integrated farming solutions For over 30 years LEAF has been developing and promoting Integrated Farm Management, driving continual improvement, by an interlinked, site specific, whole farm approach. As the future of our natural environment hangs in the balance, such an approach could not be more critical. Made up of nine sections, IFM encourages attention to detail and incremental improvements in each area, to holistically address environmental, economic, and social sustainability across the entire farm business. An understanding of the importance of each section of IFM and the interactions between them is essential to achieve regenerative outcomes, nurture biodiversity and generate healthy and resilient farming systems. Faced with climate change and competition for scarce resources, IFM offers a coherent framework for farmers to optimise inputs and activities, reduce emissions and environmental impact.
Our intended impacts LEAF Marque aims to drive recognition of environmental sustainability in agriculture, with transparency, impartiality, and reliability. Our monitoring and evaluation framework is designed to comply with the ISEAL Impacts Code of Good Practice. This reflects our commitment to rigorous, systematic, and transparent methods of reporting the impact of LEAF Marque certification. We have identified eleven Intended Impacts, which are each measured by a set of indicators. The Intended Impacts represent the changes that the LEAF Marque System seeks to make. We are continually seeking to develop a better understanding of our impacts and integrate these insights into our strategy, decision-making and planning processes. Continual learning and improvement is at the heart of all we do.
RESILIENT AND DIVERSE BUSINESSES
INCREASED IMPLEMENTATION OF REGENERATIVE PRACTICES
IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF WATER USE & WATER QUALITY
IMPROVED POSITIVE ACTION FOR CLIMATE THROUGH REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINTS
IMPROVED ENERGY USE & EFFICIENCY
CIRCULAR APPROACH TO RESOURCE USE & WASTE MANAGEMENT
ENRICHED DIVERSITY OF NATIVE HABITATS & SPECIES
IMPROVED SOIL MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCE SOIL QUALITY & HEALTH
IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE IPM SOLUTIONS FOR CROP HEALTH & PROTECTION
OPTIMISED & INTEGRATED LIVESTOCK HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
INSPIRE & ENABLE SUSTAINABLE FARMING THAT IS PROSPEROUS, ENRICHES THE ENVIRONMENT & ENGAGES LOCAL COMMUNITIES
877 LEAF Marque certified businesses
Building resilient & diverse businesses Global farming and food systems are undergoing profound changes – climatic,
310,537 hectares on LEAF Marque certified businesses Including:
political, and socio-economic. In the face of a global pandemic, economic volatility and the ongoing climate emergency, our growers are continuing to show resilience and commitment to advancing more sustainable farming. We
134,130 hectares of combinable crops
are encouraged to see an increase since last year in the global hectarage represented by LEAF Marque certified businesses. Similarly, in the UK, the overall percentage of fruit and vegetables produced on UK certified
159,200 hectares of fruit & vegetables
businesses is remaining consistent. Whilst we observe a slight decrease in hectarage of certified combinable crops, there was a growth in the hectarage of horticultural LEAF Marque certified businesses.
4,207 hectares of flowers & ornamentals
19 countries with LEAF Marque certified businesses Top countries in terms of hectarage:
UK
Spain
France
Egypt
Italy
245,639ha
25,381ha
14,242ha
7,004ha
6,218ha
279 different crop classes are grown on LEAF Marque certified farms including combinable crops, fruit & vegetables, flowers & ornamentals
The top crops grown on LEAF Marque certified farms globally are: wheat
potato
60,332ha
28,970ha
barley 24,971ha
lettuce 14,011ha
maize
broccoli
8,769ha
8,280ha
onions 7,561ha
rapeseed
sugar beet 7,328ha
cauliflower
carrot 7,178ha
pea 5,699ha
7,533ha
7,210ha
100%
75%
50%
25%
0% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
48% of UK fruit & vegetables are grown on LEAF Marque certified farms
The top fruit & vegetable crops grown on LEAF Marque certified farms in the UK are:
celery
95% cherries
83%
lettuce
91%
sweet peppers
83%
asparagus
85%
watercress
79%
parsnips
85%
onions
72%
leeks
85% broccoli
71%
IMPROVED POSITIVE ACTION FOR CLIMATE THROUGH REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINTS
Of LEAF Marque certified businesses:
Driving climate positive action
70%
improve soil quality
56%
protect & enhance
50%
seek to optimise carbon
Farming is in a unique position of being
forest & tree cover
both a source and sink for greenhouse gas emissions and farmers are fundamental to driving forward innovative solutions to climate change.
capture & sequestration
Underpinned by the sustainable farming principles of Integrated Farm Management, LEAF Marque certified businesses are
44%
use a carbon footprint tool
advancing positive action for the climate through monitoring carbon emissions, identifying carbon sequestration opportunities, and enhancing soil quality and health.
75%
have one or more types of renewable energy generation on-farm
44%
46%
keep soil covered
47%
keep living roots in the soil
limit soil disturbance
75%
INCREASED IMPLEMENTATION OF REGENERATIVE PRACTICES
grow a diverse range of crops
of LEAF Marque
85%
certified businesses:
integrate livestock
58%
82%
have an IFM policy
encourage & maintain biodiversity
IMPROVED SOIL MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCE SOIL QUALITY & HEALTH
Of LEAF Marque certified businesses:
73%
62%
46%
have a general policy to
measure nitrogen efficiency
record soil
increase soil organic matter
per tonne product
organic matter
IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF WATER USE & WATER QUALITY
Of LEAF Marque certified businesses:
Advancing nature-based solutions With more than half of the world’s habitable lands currently used for agricultural production, farmers are some of the most important stewards of the earth’s lands and water resources. LEAF Marque farmers are working with nature to provide ecosystem services that help enhance resilience and adaptation to climate change, support agricultural production and build biodiversity. They are turning to more natural sources of energy, using biological control and best practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, and protecting water resources.
51% working with others in the catchment to improve water quality & water management
IMPROVED ENERGY USE & EFFICIENCY
Of LEAF Marque certified businesses:
100%
75% 100% 50% 75% 25% 50% 0% 2016
25%
0% 2016
2017
44%
2018
2019
2020
2021
use a Carbon Footprint Tool
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
75% have one or more types of renewable energy generation on-farm
IMPROVED IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE IPM SOLUTIONS FOR CROP HEALTH & PROTECTION
49% of LEAF Marque certified businesses carry out all 8 aspects of IPM best practice
OPTIMISED & INTEGRATED LIVESTOCK HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Delivering
On LEAF Marque
more circular
certified businesses
approaches
there are:
More integrated, regenerative approaches
15,217
to food production offer part of the
cattle
solution to addressing the climate emergency. LEAF Marque certified farmers are harnessing the economic, environmental, and social opportunities that more circular
35,655 sheep
farming offers. They are carrying out a range of sustainable waste management practices, maximising the health and
9,210
welfare of livestock, to raise healthy,
pigs
optimal performing animals that produce less waste and methane emissions. This in turn is helping to build healthier soils, increase biodiversity, and improve air and water quality.
220,000 poultry
LEAF Marque certified businesses with livestock are minimising environmental impact with:
73% of LEAF Marque certified businesses with livestock are carrying out antibiotic best practice
80%
optimising livestock performance without compromising animal welfare
86%
79%
having appropriate livestock feed rations
carefully managing grazing
CIRCULAR APPROACH TO RESOURCE USE & WASTE MANAGEMENT
47% of LEAF Marque certified businesses carry out waste management best practice
450,076ha of crop on LEAF Marque certified businesses where steps are taken to
Enriching diversity of
minimise damage to beneficial & non-target organisims
habitats & species A key part of more integrated and sustainable farming is nature restoration and enhancing biodiversity. As well as delivering climate benefits, improving natural habitats helps restore ecosystems that underpin the resilience of our landscapes, whilst also supporting human well-being and providing economic benefits. LEAF Marque farmers are implementing a range of measures to protect, restore and create diverse wildlife and landscapes, always within the context of the wider farmed environment.
49% of LEAF Marque certified businesses monitor native species on farm
15%
average habitat area on LEAF Marque certified businesses within the farmed area
The range of habitats on LEAF Marque certified businesses include:
6,811,732
589,932
metres of hedges
in-field trees
260,469
1,997,302
metres of habitat banks
metres of non-hedge boundaries
1,294 ponds
617
reservoirs that benefitted biodiversity
INSPIRE & ENABLE SUSTAINABLE FARMING THAT IS PROSPEROUS, ENRICHES THE ENVIRONMENT & ENGAGES LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Engaging communities More sustainable food systems rely on well informed people, aware of where their food comes, how it is produced and the impact of their
75% of staff on LEAF Marque certified businesses have an appropriate awareness of IFM
food purchasing decisions upon the climate. As public interest in climate change increases, there is an ever-greater need for clear and
31%
meaningful conversations between
of LEAF Marque certified
farmers and citizens.
businesses engaged with
LEAF Marque certified businesses
a wider audience
are involved in a range of on-farm
via social media, websites or written
and on-line outreach activities
material
including hosting farm visits, giving talks, and taking part in industry open days like LEAF Open Farm Sunday. All these activities are helping to build deeper and richer
87% of LEAF Marque
connections between farmers and
certified businesses
consumers, to educate, engage
hosted farm visits
and inspire.
The continuing Coronavirus pandemic during 2021 had a clear impact on the number of people participating in farm visits. Travel and social distancing restrictions combined with an uncertain situation provides explanation for the decrease in engagement from 2020. However, farmers showed resilience, adaptability and a willingness to find new and engaging ways to connect with consumers through online events, farm tours and webinars. The community engagement activities observed are still very positive given the circumstances.
At LEAF Marque certified businesses there were:
2,981
22,156
on- & off-farm
visitors
events
engaged
LEAF’s wider community engagement and outreach activities, delivered through LEAF Education also adapted to the challenges presented by the pandemic. A total of 101 farmers opened their gates for LEAF Open Farm Sunday in a Covid-safe way, limiting numbers and scaling down activities. Farmer Time connected 22,696 children with farmers through live video link ups directly into the classroom, and an ongoing programme of farm visits, workshops, training events and career sessions took place virtually.
LEAF for the future The successes and impacts highlighted in this report are the result of the commitment, vision, and determination of our growers to continually improve and make a difference. We congratulate and thank them all. Through their collective efforts, they are mobilising advances in more sustainable farming across the globe and, in so doing, making significant strides in supporting many of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as national targets set out in the UK governments 25 Year Environment Plan. The climate and ecosystem emergency is one of the biggest challenges of our time. By working with farmers to reward and incentivise change, and with retailers and consumers to ensure a market for more sustainably produced food, we are uniquely positioned to link landscape health with people’s lives and plates. As LEAF embarks on its fourth decade, delivering on our ambitious 10 year strategy, we remain focused on ensuring strong market incentives to drive uptake of more sustainable farming practices and providing farmers with the skills, knowhow and confidence to build business resilience. We are immensely proud of what our growers have and continue to achieve. Coupled with the support of retailers, food brands, and government policy, which is placing the environment at centre stage, they are driving profound reforms to global farming and food systems.
Appendix The key data used in LEAF’s Global Impacts Report 2022 includes information from the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review1.The data is provided to the best of our knowledge. 1LEAF Sustainable Farming Review The LEAF Sustainable Farming Review is an online selfassessment resource for LEAF members to support their implementation of Integrated Farm Management. The LEAF Sustainable Farming Review replaced the LEAF Audit in December 2014. The completion of the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review is a requirement of the LEAF Marque Standard (v12.0 onwards) and this completion is independently verified by certification bodies as part of the audit process. However, the specific responses within the Review are self-assessed and not verified through third party inspection. The LEAF Sustainable Farming Review is composed of around 90 principles based around the nine sections of Integrated Farm Management along with further guidance information and links to support the user. Each question must be answered in one of the following five ways: Fully Achieved; Considerable Progress; Some Progress; Not Started; or Not Applicable. Additionally, the user indicates which of the supporting practices, which are associated with the principle, they carry out. For the purposes of this report, analysis of this data only includes LEAF members who held a current, full LEAF Marque certificate at 31st December 2021 for the 2022 data. The LEAF Sustainable Farming Review can be completed at any point during the year. Due to updates to the way data was collected in product information on the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review at the beginning of 2020, production data was missing for 110 farmers who had filled in the information before the changes were made. In these circumstances, data from 2019 was used instead. Unless otherwise stated, the data shows the total crop area of each business class (i.e. Combinable Crops, Fruit and Vegetables, or Flowers and Ornamentals), or enterprise (not farm business area) of LEAF Marque certified members based on our Product List of certifiable products. For more details see the Long Appendix. For more information, please contact LEAF (see back cover for contact details).
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