Carbon Audits
FAS Carbon Audits Are Currently Paused
Carbon Audit Application Pause
Since July 2024, The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) has received strong uptake in Carbon Audits. To allow the service to manage this high demand, and to allow the Scottish Government to adjust available resources, new applications for FAS Carbon Audits will be paused on 23 September 2024. Existing applications will be processed and honoured as usual.
This pause will allow time to process outstanding applications, and a further update on next steps will be shared in due course. Farmers and crofters seeking assistance with Carbon Audits after 23 September can apply through Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) and advice on carrying out a Carbon Audit support is available on the FAS website.
The strong uptake in FAS Carbon Audits demonstrates the credibility of FAS Carbon Audits and the strong relationship FAS has with the sector.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted to see the current high demand for FAS Carbon Audits from farmers and crofters.
“FAS has played a central role in supporting farmers and crofters in preparing for the Whole Farm Plan. This includes providing easy access to information and updates, support for Carbon Audits, and Specialist Advice on biodiversity and soil nutrition. Seeing high uptake of this support means farmers and crofters are engaged and informed as we move towards our ambitions for the Whole Farm Plan in 2025, and I thank every farmer and crofter who has been involved.
“Carbon audits play a key role in Scotland becoming a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. While applications to FAS Carbon Audits are paused, I would encourage farmers and crofters to access the resources available to them through the PSF and FAS resources.’’
Additional Support & Information:
Preparing for Sustainable Farming (ruralpayments.org)
Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Further questions:
If you have any further questions, you can contact the advice line by emailing advice@fas.scot or by calling 0300 3230161.
Further support with your Carbon Audit through PSF is also available from your nearest RPID Area Office.
There is support available for a carbon audit - open to all farming and crofting businesses - to help identify performance improvements and cost savings. Carried out by an experienced agricultural consultant, the carbon audit will establish your carbon footprint, identify the sources of emissions on your farm, and show you how your performance compares with others - highlighting areas where you can improve your farm’s operational efficiency. The carbon audits can be repeated annually to monitor performance and identify the impact of changes you make.
Why apply?
Your carbon footprint identifies the quantity and source of your greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide). Your appointed adviser will spend approximately half a day with you to collect emission data for the activities you carry out on your farm and use Agrecalc to accurately determine your resource use and GHG emissions for the whole farm.
As well being the most efficient and profitable, farms with a low carbon footprint can also position themselves favourably against competition and with buyers that are increasingly looking to buy from ‘low carbon’ suppliers. Having a carbon audit also helps businesses reduce their environmental footprint and bring their activities in line with their vision for the future.
FAS will provide one carbon audit per year, meaning businesses can monitor their progress over time and assess the impact of their actions.
Benefit from the knowledge and experience of accredited farm business advisers
Your carbon audits can only be delivered by advisers accredited to the Farm Business Adviser Accreditation Scotland scheme (FBAASS). If your funding application is successful, you can request quotations from accredited advisers and appoint the adviser of your choice. The Farming Advisory Service can also help you identify a suitable adviser if required.
Who can apply?
Carbon audits are open to all farming and crofting businesses, provided that they are registered in Scotland Rural Payments and Services and hold a Business Reference Number (BRN) with IACS. Carbon audits are appropriate for all farming and crofting businesses, regardless of size and situation.
Businesses can get one carbon audit per year through FAS. If you have already received funding for an audit through the NTP, you will not be able to claim one through FAS.
How much funding is there?
The Scottish Government will fund the first carbon audit for £660, reducing to £330 for any repeat audits.
How to apply
Apply online or download an application form today. Please note that due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, any grant application submitted via post will experience delay in processing. As such, anyone seeking grant funding should do so using our online application forms.
Download your carbon audit application form today
Should you need further information, or require a hard copy of this form, please telephone the Farm Advisory Service advice line on 0300 323 0161.
Download the carbon audit rules and procedures
If you have any queries regarding carbon audits, please contact advice line on 0300 323 0161 or advice@fas.scot and we will be pleased to talk through the options.
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