Home > Sounds > Thrill of The Hill – Policy Pathfinder: Farming for a Better Climate

Thrill of The Hill – Policy Pathfinder: Farming for a Better Climate

Posted: Thursday, 01 October 2026

Before FAS, Farming for a Better Climate helped put practical climate action firmly on the agenda for Scottish agriculture. At its heart was a focus on practical change. The programme encouraged farmers and crofters to look at areas including energy and fuel use, renewable energy, soil carbon, fertiliser and manure management and livestock efficiency. Rather than approaching climate change as an issue separate from everyday farm management, Farming for a Better Climate sought to demonstrate where better use of resources could reduce costs, strengthen the business and lower emissions at the same time.

In this episode Rebecca Audsley joins Alex to look back over the life of Farming for a Better Climate and consider its impacts. More than fifteen years on from the programme’s beginnings, they also consider what comes next.

This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond.

Timestamps

01.35 Introducing Rebecca Audsley

02.37 Where are we in terms of climate change, landscape management and lower carbon farming

05.42 Farming For a Better Climate (FFBC) initiative

08.37 Where did FFBC operate across the country & 5 key action areas

12.53 FFBC outputs and learning from others

14.48 A Policy Pathfinder

17.10 Emission reductions and associated financial benefits

19.17 What problem did FFBC identify that is less of an issue now

22.22 A good healthy soil – PLANT YOUR PANTS!

Climate change: are we moving in the right direction?

Farming & Water Scotland