This blog post published by the Food Research Collaboration discusses the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirement that would become part of the UK’s planning system under the new Environment Bill. BNG requires that building developments must prove they produce a 10% increase in biodiversity value, which can be achieved by buying biodiversity “credits” from farmers who change their production practices. The blog argues that the policy will reward farmers who currently manage their land unsustainably, and not those who already farm in biodiversity-friendly ways.

In this paper, the authors draw on their experience as agricultural scientists who have worked in Latin America, Eastern and Southern Africa and South Asia to argue that the land-sparing vs land-sharing framework has two major limitations.

This rapid evidence review from CCAFS Low-Emissions Development assesses the performance of agroecological approaches in low- and middle- income countries. Based on over 10,000 studies, it finds that agroecological practices such as farm diversification, agroforestry and organic agriculture can help low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in both mitigating and adapting to climate change through their food systems.

This paper surveys farmers and environmental scientists in Germany and Austria on their attitudes towards biodiversity-friendly management practices for agriculture. It finds significant differences between the attitudes of these different stakeholder groups. The motivation for the study was to examine why farmers rarely use certain biodiversity-oriented management practices despite growing scientific evidence for their benefits.

This paper sets out a conceptual framework for a “pesticide treadmill”, in which pesticide use initiates a self-reinforcing vicious cycle, which can be escaped from in certain circumstances. It illustrates its arguments using case studies from Sudan and Nicaragua, and sets out similarities and differences between modern neonicotinoid usage patterns and historical examples of pesticide treadmills.

This book, aimed at first year undergraduate students, defines agroecology and the agricultural practices associated with it.

This white paper, funded by Our Land and Water (one of 11 National Science Challenges run by the New Zealand government) and the NEXT Foundation, explores what regenerative agriculture means in the context of New Zealand and identifies 17 topics where more research is required. It acknowledges the alignment between regenerative agriculture and Māori food practices and knowledge.